[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Legal Nurse Career in Brief[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Legal nurses’ unique roles include analysts, collaborators, educators, researchers, and strategists. They function as consultants at the crossroads of healthcare and law, offering expertise in nursing, medicine, and healthcare systems.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Legal Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/articles/meet-a-nurse-attorney/”]Legal nurses[/hen-ui-link] work with attorneys, claims adjusters, medical staff, and patients. These nurses find employment in law firms, insurance companies, healthcare facilities, patient safety organizations, and corporate legal departments.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The list below outlines common work settings and responsibilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Law Firms[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Legal nurses working in law firms conduct client interviews, review standards of care, summarize medical records, and provide expert testimony.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Insurance Companies[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With insurance companies, these nurses analyze healthcare benefits, audit medical bills, and perform case management.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Healthcare Facilities[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Legal nurses in healthcare facilities collaborate with team members, investigate malpractice claims, educate staff, and ensure law and regulation compliance.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is the Difference Between a Legal Nurse Consultant and a Nurse Attorney?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses interested in healthcare law can consider careers as [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/meet-a-nurse-attorney/”]nurse attorneys[/hen-ui-link]. However, becoming a nurse attorney requires a law degree and admission to a state bar association. While legal nurse consultants provide assistance and expertise in legal cases, nurse attorneys are lawyers themselves.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following table lists a few differences between legal nurse consultants and nurse attorneys.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How To Become a Legal Nurse Consultant[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Legal Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to PayScale, the average legal nurse consultant [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/legal-nurse/” target=”_blank”]salary totals $80,720[/hen-ui-link], not including bonuses, profit-sharing, or benefits. RNs earn a median average salary of $73,300, so becoming a legal nurse can further increase pay. Legal nurse consultant job listings [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.indeed.com/q-Legal-Nurse-jobs.html” target=”_blank”]on Indeed[/hen-ui-link] include positions paying more than $80,000 for legal nurse consultants with three years of experience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]PayScale indicates that [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Legal_Nurse_Consultant/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]salaries begin to climb[/hen-ui-link] at around 10 years of working in the field. Legal nurses in St. Louis, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/new-york/”]New York[/hen-ui-link], and Atlanta earn more than the national average.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Find State-Specific Salary Data” href=”/nurse-practitioner/fnp/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How long does it take to become a legal nurse consultant?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students who obtain ADNs and follow the AALNC’s recommendation of five years of RN experience can [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/legal-nurse/how-to-become/”]become legal nurse[/hen-ui-link] consultants in seven years. Those who pursue BSNs or [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/types-of-masters-degrees-in-nursing//”]master of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (MSN) degrees add 2-4 years to their educational path. Accelerated and [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/nursing-bridge-programs/”]bridge programs[/hen-ui-link] can shorten the timeline.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How can legal nurse consultants advance their career?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Legal nurses looking to advance their careers can earn an [hen-ui-link href=”http://lncc.aalnc.org/page/about-certification” target=”_blank”]LNCC credential[/hen-ui-link], which signifies advanced knowledge and expertise; obtaining a BSN or MSN opens doors to more employment opportunities; and attending law school and becoming a [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/meet-a-nurse-attorney/”]nurse attorney[/hen-ui-link] offers an additional career path. Accruing experience and developing your skills also help with career advancement.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Are legal nurse consultants in demand?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The demand for legal nurse consultants remains high due to their medical expertise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% increase in RN positions from 2019 to 2029, outpacing the 4% national average for all occupations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is formal legal education required to become a legal nurse consultant?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Legal nurse consultants do not need formal legal education; however, some colleges, universities, and organizations offer legal nurse consulting courses and award a certificate of completion. Legal nurses typically earn nursing degrees, which qualify them for RN licensure and AALNC certification, but some individuals pursue specialty coursework and higher degrees.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Legal Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”http://www.aalnc.org/” target=”_blank”] American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] In addition to offering LNCC credentials, the AALNC supports its members with a career center, free webinars, local chapters, publications, and discounted professional liability insurance. Non-members can access AALNCs bookstore and education products free of charge. Membership options include RN, non-RN, and journal subscription only.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.naclncdirectory.org/” target=”_blank”] National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] As the largest and oldest organization of legal nurse consultants, NACLNC comprises a network of certified legal nurse consultants (CLNC) trained at the Vickie Milazzo Institute. Its website features an online directory of CLNCs to connect legal professionals with healthcare experts and help build their cases.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34437,34059,34445,41597″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /]