what to major in to become a nurse attorney

Aspiring nurse attorneys must obtain both nursing and law degrees. They should possess at least a four-year bachelor of science of nursing (BSN

), although some go on to earn a two-year master of science of nursing (MSN). Nurse attorneys need a juris doctor (JD) in law, which usually takes three years to earn.

Full Answer

What education is required for a nurse to become a 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 ...

What can you do with a degree in Nursing and law?

To become an RN, students must earn a degree from a state-approved school of nursing. This can be an associate’s degree from a community college, or a bachelor’s of science in nursing from a four-year college or university. For specializations such as this, a BSN or even an MSN is ideal. To become an attorney, you need to earn a Juris Doctorate, or JD.

Is being a nurse attorney a good career choice?

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 ...

How to become a nurse attorney in New York?

Oct 12, 2021 · How to Become a Nurse Attorney Aspiring nurse attorneys must obtain both nursing and law degrees. They should possess at least a four-year bachelor of science of nursing (BSN), although some go on to earn a two-year master of science of nursing (MSN). Nurse attorneys need a juris doctor (JD) in law, which usually takes three years to earn.

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.

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 which degree to pursue first can depend on a variety of factors, but most nurse lawyers begin by earning a nursing degree. Nursing programs offer both two-year associate degrees and four-year bachelor's degrees.

Where do nurses work after becoming a lawyer?

After becoming a licensed nurse, most aspiring nurse lawyers spend several years working in a medical facility and gaining valuable practical experience within the healthcare system. Many nurses find entry-level jobs in hospitals, private practices, clinics or emergency care facilities.

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 to become a nurse after passing the NCLEX?

3. Become a licensed nurse. After passing the NCLEX, all nurses must apply for a license in the state in which they plan to work. Each state has its own set of regulations, so it is important to research the qualifications in advance.

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.

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.

What is the career of a nurse lawyer?

Some go into academia, working at colleges and universities as professors. This career usually involves contributing to law journals and publishing research. Still other nurse lawyers might prefer to go into government, professional associations, or lobbying groups, focusing on medical regulations and policy.

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 ...

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 ...

Can nurse attorneys be witnesses?

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 and experience to serve as expert witnesses during trials.

What do nurse lawyers do?

Additionally, nurse attorneys might use their knowledge and experience to serve as expert witnesses during trials. Nurse lawyers also take on duties outside the courtroom. They might focus on paperwork, reviewing medical records and data, and analyzing personal injury or insurance claims.

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.

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.

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.

Do nurse attorneys need a degree?

Because nurse attorneys are required to have two professional degrees (i.e. BSN and J.D.) which both take a substantial amount of time to complete, not only are they rare, but they're also in high demand. A career as a nurse attorney has a particularly positive job outlook since there's a growing need for attorneys who have expertise in the realm of healthcare.

What are the skills needed to become a nurse?

Essential Skills Needed - Strong organizational skills, ability to perform detail-oriented tasks, strong communications skills (written and verbal), ability to meet tight deadlines, ability to work alone, self-directed, and extensive knowledge in both nursing and law

What Are The Education Requirements?

As practicing nurses and licensed attorneys, nurse attorneys must hold either an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing and a juris doctor (JD) advanced degree.

What Kind of Employers Hire Nurse Attorneys?

Nurse attorneys normally work for law firms, government agencies, healthcare organizations, academia or private businesses. In academia, nurse attorneys are professors and researchers in healthcare law-related topics. As members of law firms, nurse attorneys take on healthcare cases such as medical malpractice, personal injury and insurance.

What Is The Process of Becoming a Nurse Attorney?

As a career path that combines two complex processes of training, education and licensing, the road to becoming a nurse attorney takes several years and involves multiple steps. The process begins with the successful completion of either an Associate's (ADN) or Bachelor's (BSN) degree in nursing.

What Are The Responsibilities of a Nurse Attorney?

The responsibilities of nurse attorneys vary depending on the industry, career level, and employer type.

What Should I Expect to Make and What Is the Career Outlook?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes nurse attorneys under the general category for all lawyers. In 2020, they estimated a median annual salary of $126,930 for this category. The BLS expects a growth in job opportunities of 9% between 2020 and 2030.

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).

Is a LNC required to be a legal nurse consultant?

Part Seven Certifications for Legal Nurse Consultants. 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 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 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 time do nurses complete modules?

Nurses complete modules synchronously, meaning at the same time, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:30-4:00. While the courses cannot transfer into a graduate program or count toward continuing education, it's tough to find a better institution for healthcare education than Duke. 2.

How long is the Florida Atlantic University nursing certificate?

Online: Yes. Program Length: 8 weeks. With one of the most affordable legal nurse consultant certificate programs, Florida Atlantic University attracts nurses from across the nation. The online program requires an active RN license and three years of clinical nursing experience, so only experienced nurses may apply.

How long is the Wilmington University nursing program?

Program Length: 15 weeks. As a post-baccalaureate program, Wilmington University's legal nurse consultant certificate requires that nurses first complete a BSN. However, the program does allow for online study, and nurses can use all credits completed in the program toward a graduate degree.