how to be a nurse attorney

by Marina Murphy 8 min read

How does one become a nurse lawyer?

Jul 06, 2017 · What Are the Education Requirements for a Nurse Attorney? A bachelor's degree from an accredited university (law-specific degree is not required) Completion of the LSAT. A "personal statement" outlining the individual's personality/characteristics. Letters of recommendation. Completion of the ...

Why would a nursing home need an attorney?

How to become a Nurse Attorney 01 Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). 02 Pass the NCLEX-RN. 03 Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining clinical experience before applying to law school. 04 Pass the law School Admissions Test. 05 Get your Juris Doctor degree (JD) and pass your State Bar Licensing Exam. 06

How much do nurse lawyers make?

To become a nurse attorney, you must be a Registered Nurse and have a law degree. Nurse attorneys are needed because lawyers who lack medical training find it difficult to provide insight into many legal healthcare issues.

How old you should be to be a nurse practitioner?

Feb 22, 2021 · How to become a nurse lawyer 1. Earn a nursing degree. All nurse lawyers are required to earn degrees in both the medical and legal fields. Deciding... 2. Pass the NCLEX. After graduation, every nursing student is required to take and pass their state's NCLEX in order to... 3. Become a licensed ...

See more

Nurse Attorney. A nurse attorney is a professional who holds both a nursing degree and a law degree, combining their knowledge of both fields. Becoming a nurse in any specialty requires becoming a registered nurse (RN). To become an RN, students must earn a degree from a state-approved school of nursing. This can be an associate’s degree from ...

image

Is law school harder than nursing school?

Law School is harder than Nursing school. Law is exhausting just by the sheer volume of coursework. Nursing can also have an exhausting course load, although, as an undergraduate degree, it's more manageable than law.

What is the highest paying nurse specialty?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn a mean average salary of $183,580 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it the top paying nursing specialty. CRNAs typically work 40 hours per week, making the hourly wage average out to approximately $88.26 per hour.Feb 25, 2022

How do I become a nursing lawyer UK?

Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining clinical experience before applying to law school.Pass the law School Admissions Test.Get your Juris Doctor degree (JD) and pass your State Bar Licensing Exam.You're ready to work as a Nurse Attorney.

How can a nurse make 100k?

HOW TO MAKE SIX FIGURES AS A NURSE?Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) ... Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) ... Become a Nurse Midwife. ... Advance in Nurse Leadership. ... Begin travel nursing assignment. ... Change Nursing specialties. ... Relocate to a higher paying state. ... Make sacrifices.More items...

Can nurses make 6 figures?

There are several avenues to earn a six-figure income for registered nurses who earn an advanced registered nurse practitioner degree. One option is to work for a hospital or doctor's office that pays a six-figure salary. Another option becoming increasingly popular is for nurse practitioners to open their practice.

Can nurses become lawyers?

Some nurses choose to work in the healthcare field for a few years to gain experience while they pursue their law degrees. Working as a nurse makes you a stronger candidate as a nurse attorney. When you are ready to begin your legal studies, you must first take the LSAT.Aug 26, 2021

Can I go into law with a nursing degree?

If you have at least a bachelor's in nursing, you can go directly to Law School, as long as you're admitted.

Can I study law after nursing?

Yes, you are eligible for LAW after completion of B.Sc in Nursing but you should qualify in CLAT exam. CLAT is stands for Common Law Admission Test.Feb 26, 2014

Assessment

You’ll review medical records and analyze personal injury and insurance claims.

Editorial

You’ll also work as a writer or editor for professional nursing and legal journals.

Education

You’ll teach healthcare staff about the rules and regulations associated with their job.

Representation

You’ll represent healthcare providers in malpractice cases and lobby for change in the healthcare industry.

01

Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

03

Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining clinical experience before applying to law school.

05

Get your Juris Doctor degree (JD) and pass your State Bar Licensing Exam.

How to become a nurse attorney?

Before you begin the legal part of the process of becoming a nurse attorney, you should obtain your nursing education and work as a Registered Nurse (RN). The first step in this process is completing your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school. After this, you will need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Then, you will need to meet your state’s requirements to become an RN, and get clinical experience working as a nurse before you apply to law school.

How to get a JD degree?

After you have gained experience working as an RN, the first step in obtaining your Juris Doctor (JD) degree is taking and passing the Law School Admission Test or LSAT. The average LSAT score is about 150 on a scale of 120-180; to get into one of the top 25 law schools, you should score well above the average. Then, you will apply to and be admitted to law school. Most law degrees take three years to complete, and unlike many undergraduate programs, you will need to complete all of your law courses within the school’s time frame in order to receive your Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

What is a nurse lawyer?

Nurse lawyers are skilled professionals who use their experience in medicine and their knowledge of legal systems to ensure that a medical facility's patients are well cared for and to represent their employer during legal proceedings. Nurse lawyers can work for a variety of employers, including hospitals, law firms, ...

How much does a nurse lawyer make?

In the United States, the average salary for a nurse attorney is $80,699 per year. Some salaries can range from $21,000 to $177,000 annually.

What do nurses study?

Nursing students study a variety of subjects, including patient care, medical terminology and medical ethics. Nursing programs also require students to participate in practical labs and clinicals which test the students' ability to apply their knowledge. 2. Pass the NCLEX.

How many questions are asked on the NCLEX?

The exam is multiple-choice and test-takers must answer between 75 and 265 questions, depending on their performance in the first section.

What is the NCLEX exam?

The NCLEX is a comprehensive knowledge test that determines whether or not aspiring nurses are adequately prepared to practice medicine professionally.

How often do you need to renew your nurse practitioner license?

Registered nurse and nurse practitioner licenses are distributed by each state's Board of Nursing and must be renewed every five years. Some states require that nurses participate in continuing education programs in order to keep their licenses updated. 4. Gain experience.

What is the LSAT test?

The LSAT assesses each test-takers' skills in analytical reasoning, critical reading, persuasive writing and logical reasoning. The test is comprised of two parts: a multiple-choice exam administered either in a testing center or digitally and a written essay that is submitted online. 6. Earn a law degree.

Nurse Attorney Job Description

A nurse attorney has many career possibilities to pursue. They might practice law on their own, specializing in health law, malpractice, or personal injury. They could work in a law firm, offering medical expertise for any relevant cases. They can also work in hospital administrations, insurance companies, or companies in the health care field.

Job Outlook and Salaries for Nurse Attorneys

The combination of these specialties is becoming increasingly important as our society becomes more litigious and there are an increasing number of laws regulating the medical professions and insurance coverage.

What is a legal nurse consultant?

Legal nurse consultants fulfill a unique role in bridging the gap between the legal process, healthcare science, and patient outcomes. Legal nurse consultants work in many settings, including independent consulting practices, insurance companies, and legal firms, to name a few.

How many years of college do I need to become a nurse?

To do so, you must take the following steps: Graduate from a two- year program for an associate’s degree in nursing, a three-year program for a diploma in nursing (usually hospital-based), or a four-year college or university program leading to a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

How much does a nurse consultant make?

The median annual salary for registered nurses was $73,300 per year as of May 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

What is the NCLEX exam?

The NCLEX is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States and Canada. Once you pass this exam, you may apply for your first nursing job. Legal nurse consultants need to have a solid clinical nursing background so that they have an understanding of the medical nuances involved in cases.

Is a LNC required to become a legal nurse?

Although it is not required, LNCs who wish to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and best practices in legal nurse consulting may decide to become certified as an LNC through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC).

What is a nurse attorney?

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TANAA) defines nurse attorneys as professionals "licensed to practice both nursing and law.". Johnson & Johnson provides another definition: "A nurse attorney represents medical professionals in court, or works to change policies within the healthcare system.". Nurse attorneys take on the important role ...

How long does it take to become a nurse attorney?

Nurse attorneys need a juris doctor (JD) in law, which usually takes three years to earn. Registered nurses with an associate degree cannot enroll in JD programs; instead, they need to complete an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN program first.

How do I become a nurse?

The nurse needs to first obtain a bachelor's degree, then take the LSAT (law school admission test), apply to law school, be admitted, successfully graduate, and then pass the bar exam to become licensed.

Who is Lorie Brown?

Lorie A. Brown, RN, MN, JD#N#Lorie A. Brown, RN, MN, JD, has a passion for supporting nurses. She is truly a nurse for nurses. She obtained her law degree from Indiana University in 1990. Lorie founded Brown Law Office, P.C. in 1999 and began working as a legal nurse consultant and representing nurses and other healthcare providers before licensing boards. She also mentors nurses on how to start their own businesses. Lorie has authored three books, "Law and Order for Nurses: The Easy Way to Protect Your License and Your Livelihood," "From Frustrated to Fulfilled: The Empowered Nurses System," and "The Legal Nurse Consultant's Workbook: Turning Your Nursing Knowledge into a Successful Consulting Practice." She has two weekly blogs, Your Nurse Attorney and Empowered Nurses.

What is nursing law?

Nursing law ecompasses many different roles and responsibilities, including representation of nurses and other health workers in court. Patients or other entities sometimes serve healthcare professionals with malpractice suits, and nurse attorneys may attend these professionals in court. Additionally, nurse attorneys might use their knowledge ...

How much do nurses make?

The BLS does, however, provide data for nurses and attorneys as separate careers. Registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $73,300, which varies due to factors like location and experience level. The BLS also projects that the number of nurses may increase by 7% from 2019-29.

Do nurses need continuing education?

Requirements for licensure vary by state, as do licensure renewal requirements. Nurse attorneys may need to participate in continuing education or practice a certain number of hours in order to renew their licenses. Aspiring professionals should check with their state boards of licensure for specific rules.

The Beginning..

When I was 10 years old and at summer camp, I fell off a horse and hit my head. When I came to, I saw a woman in white standing over me. She looked like an angel and told me that she was the camp nurse. She picked me up and rushed me to the local hospital to get checked.

Becoming a Nurse..

Years later, after getting my white cap and pin, I thought I was about to begin my dream profession.

Turning Point..

The next day, I was called into the unit manager's office. I remember wondering why she wanted to talk to me as everything seemed fine. She sat me down saying, "Lorie, I need to write you up because of the way you talked to the person at Central Supply." To say I was stunned would have been an understatement.

Law School..

Now, law school was another story. All this legal jargon at first nearly drove me crazy. But then I remembered how in nursing school all the medical jargon had driven me crazy but I did manage to overcome that. I did successfully learn the legal jargon and passed the Bars in both Indiana and Illinois.

Taking Care of Nurses..

I take care of the nurses in their deepest, darkest hours when they have a license, employment or contract issue. I prefer to be proactive and help nurses prevent problems rather than to have those problems.

Tips for Success in Law School

Now, if you still want to go to law school, let me share with you some success principles.

What degree do I need to become a legal nurse?

Those interested in the field of legal nurse consulting should first pursue a nursing degree through a two- or four-year university. Obtaining an associate's degree ( ADN) or bachelor's degree ( BSN) in nursing is required.

What is a legal nurse consultant?

A legal nurse consultant is a nurse who works as an expert on cases involving medical issues. This can be in court or with insurance companies, healthcare providers, and other agencies. Legal nurse consultants are valuable in that they bring clinical experience, medical education, and a scientific background to the legal arena, ...

How much does a legal nurse consultant make?

According to payscale.com, the average salary for a legal nurse consultant can range from $55,092 to $211,399. Salary is dependent on the state, city, organization, and whether the LNC is self employed.

Can a nurse work from home?

Many nurses are lured by the benefits of becoming a legal nurse consultant.Being able to work from home, setting your own wages and hours, and learning a new field is attractive to nurses looking for a change from bedside nursing. Best of all, there are no long, 12-hour shifts. According to payscale.com, the average salary for a legal nurse ...

Do I need a certification to become a legal nurse consultant?

Any Certifications or Credentials Needed? While not required, certification as a legal nurse consultant is recommended. Formal certification demonstrates the nurse is committed to the field and adheres to the highest standard of care and professionalism.

What is the requirement to become a legal nurse consultant?

For legal nurse consultants reviewing stacks of medical records, the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively is a core requirement for how to become a legal nurse consultant. Attorneys are bottom-line driven and require articulate opinions delivered with brevity. They are crazy busy and do not have time to extract a recommendation ...

What is a legal nurse consultant?

As a legal nurse consultant, you’re reviewing medical records covering hospital or medical-related situations of which you have first-hand experience and knowledge. So, it’s easy to feel emotionally involved in an incident, but you must check your biases at the door.

What does RN mean in medical?

As a registered nurse (RN), you walk the halls of the hospital with a mind always assessing every patient, scrutinizing the electronic medical records and challenging physician’s orders. RNs get to the essence of what a patient needs quicker than any other provider in healthcare and that’s why attorneys need RNs like you on their medical ...

image