If you’re a nurse who wants to expand your career, you may want to consider becoming a nursing lawyer. This profession is a great way to combine your medical knowledge with legal skills, and you’ll be able to help clients and advocate for their rights. However, if you’re considering this option, you should first make sure that you have strong interests in both healthcare and law.
Typically, those interested in becoming nurse attorneys start with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then take the LSAT to get into law school. Many nurses will work in the healthcare field for a few years before attending law school to gain experience and build a storehouse of knowledge about the healthcare industry.
When a case goes to trial, it’s essential to have experts on hand who can accurately showcase the evidence, educate the jury on complicated medical concepts and determine if standards of care were met. A legal nurse consultant can provide these services, and they also have the ability to review medical records that can’t be easily obtained from the lawyer or medical professional whose negligence is being alleged in the case.
Legal Nurse Consultants are often employed by law firms and other entities to retrieve and review medical records. They can also be called upon to act as an expert witness on the stand in court.
This is a very flexible job and allows registered nurses to set their own hours and charge higher rates (if they have the expertise to do so). It can be difficult to establish a client base as a new attorney, but once established, the income can be quite substantial.
For those with a lot of experience as a nurse, this is an excellent option to supplement your income and enjoy some time away from the workplace. It’s an exciting and rewarding career with a solid income and excellent benefits, as long as you do your research.
The median salary for legal nurse consultants is more than $80,000 a year, according to PayScale data from February 2022. This is higher than the national average for registered nurses and includes bonuses and other compensation.
A Nursing lawyer can work in many different areas, but the most common are medical malpractice and personal injury. They can also work with legislators on issues relating to patient safety and regulatory compliance.
They can also serve as a medical expert in criminal and civil cases. They can give expert testimony and conduct extensive research on a variety of subjects, including medical negligence, malpractice, workers’ compensation, and civil rights.
How to Become a Nurse Lawyer
If you’re interested in becoming a nurse lawyer, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN before entering law school. It’s recommended that you get your degree in the medical field for a few years before pursuing law school.
Those who want to pursue this career should be aware that it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to go through the education process. You can expect to spend at least two years in school and receive both your BSN and JD degrees.