Hi and welcome to our comprehensive guide to Legal Nurse Consultant Programs!
Today, we’ll discuss the best LNC Programs.
After reading this article, you’ll be better placed to choose the best LNC Program and Certification that suits you.
We’ll take you through:
- Introduction
- Top 10 Best Legal Nurse Consultant Programs
- The Best Legal Nurse Consultant Certifications
Keep reading!
Introduction
When looking to start a Nursing career in Legal Nurse consulting you will have to look for the ideal programs to choose.
Although, there is quite a number of Legal Consultant Programs to choose from – this article has provided you with the best options.
When searching for these programs you will need details on requirements and qualifications to prepare yourself.
Top 10 Best Legal Nurse Consultant Programs
We’ve rounded up a list of the Best Legal Nurse Consultant Programs online and on campus.
These are some of the most reputable and respected LNC Programs across the country.
We’ve not ranked the programs in any particular order.
Duke University
The Legal Nurse Consultant Program at Duke University is second to none.
It’s one of the biggest LNC Programs in the USA.
The program runs for one month and costs $2,195.
Duke University employees interested in the course are eligible for a $200 discount.
This Legal Nurse Consultant Certificate Program is open to anyone with Registered Nurse licensure.
The consultant training program consists of six modules that equip Nurses with the skills to analyze cases related to healthcare and Nursing.
The coursework is administered by experienced RNs with years of experience in Legal Nurse Consulting.
The classes are conducted on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 8:30a.m and 4:00 p.m.
This program prepares RNs to work in the legal field in different settings, including law firms, insurance companies, long-term care facilities, and hospitals.
The only downside to this program is that the credits earned cannot be transferred towards continuing education.
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University is yet another excellent option when it comes to the Best Legal Nurse Consultant Programs online in the South.
The eligibility requirement for this program includes having an active RN license and not less than three years of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse.
That means the program is specifically for Medical Professionals with experience in Nursing.
These Legal Nurse Consultant classes cover Litigation Terminologies, Systems of Law, and Types of Law, among other concepts, to prepare LNCs for the profession.
It takes two months to complete and will cost you $795.
Florida Atlantic University has one of the cheapest LNC Programs in the country.
By the end of the eight weeks, Nurses will have accumulated 33 continuing education credits.
The credits can go towards maintaining RN licensure in their state.
Florida Atlantic University Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Program stands out because it’s affordable and online, meaning Nurses from across the nation can enroll.
Plus, the program helps RNs meet continuing education requirements.
Even more important, the institution helps graduates to secure jobs after the program.
Louisiana State University, New Orleans
This Legal Consultant course in Louisiana is a fully online program.
The program is self-paced, meaning Nurses can study at their own pace and complete the program whenever they are done.
As such, the program length varies depending on the individual.
This Consultant training course has ten modules.
When Registered Nurses complete the ten modules, they earn 100 CNE credits.
The programs train RNs to better understand the medical field in relation to Law and become an asset in the legal field.
Louisiana State University gives Nursing students the option to attend a preceptorship for two days.
The hands-on experience, the CEU, and the self-paced learning mode make this Consultant training course perfect for RNs juggling between work and advancing their careers.
California State University, Long Beach
This fully online Legal Nurse Consultant course takes seven weeks to complete.
However, the program can be completed in 42 hours.
Since it’s an online program, students have access to an online messaging board, where students can interact with others and learn from their instructors.
This comprehensive program covers a wide range of topics, including Criminal Law, Medical Malpractice, Worker’s Compensation, Toxic Torts, Product Liability, Personal Liability, and Wrongful Death.
This LNC course also has a comprehensive exam at the end of the program.
California State University produces some of the most well-rounded LNCs that can work in a wide range of settings, including government agencies, insurance companies, and law firms.
Completing the program translates to 4.2 hours of CECs.
The entire Legal Nurse Consultant Program costs $1,295.
The University of Arizona
The University of Arizona also has a seven-week program that can be completed in 42 hours.
The course is designed for Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants, and other medical professionals interested in Forensic Testing.
The program breaks down complex Nursing concepts into simple, easy-to-understand information.
Since it is also an online program, healthcare professionals can pursue higher education while advancing their careers in the legal field.
To help students successfully complete the program, the University of Arizona provides scholarships and grants.
The whole course will cost you $1,195.
The University of Georgia
This is yet another LNC Program designed to produce top-notch legal professionals.
The University of Georgia’s LNC curriculum prepares Nurses to pass the Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) Examination.
At the end of the program, Legal Nurse Consultants are ready to handle different legal cases, including product liability, worker’s compensation, wrongful deaths, emotional distress, personal injury, medical malpractice, etc.
The course takes eight weeks but can be completed in 42 hours, which translates to 4.2 hours of CECs.
This program is perfect for RNs and PAs committed to their Nursing job but who still want to become LNCs.
The total cost of the program is $1,195.
Wilmington University
The Legal Nurse Consultant course at Wilmington University trains aspiring LNCs on how to apply Nursing knowledge in legal cases.
The course integrates legal issues and Nursing practice.
The Program ties the LNC Program with a Doctor in Nursing Practice, such that at the end of the program, Nursing students are well-equipped to work as expert witnesses in a wide range of complex medical and Nursing-related cases.
With the DNP credential, Wilmington University graduates are one step ahead of other LNCs.
The Legal Nurse Consultant course is a fully online program that takes seven weeks.
SUNY Oswego
SUNY Oswego Nurse Consultant course ranks among the best LNC Programs in the Northeast.
The university is over 150 years.
Its reputation precedes it.
In its Nurse Consultant course, students learn about the medical field and legal concepts.
They further study the role of a Legal Nurse in a litigation process.
Students can take an instructor-led online course for seven weeks or pursue a self-paced one, which takes four months.
The successful completion of the program grants one 42 continuing education credits.
Registered Nurses not only tap into new career opportunities but also meet the required education to maintain an RN license.
The program costs $1,195.
The University of Alaska in Anchorage
The University of Alaska in Anchorage offers a Legal Nurse Consultant Paralegal Certificate.
The program is quite in-depth, covering not only legal concepts and processes but also Research, Computer Applications, Writing, Healthcare Laws, and Government Regulations.
The LNC Paralegal Certificate is taught by experts in the legal and healthcare industry.
During the course, students have access to the UAA consortium library, where they can study a variety of legal cases to further broaden their knowledge.
The University of Rochester
The Legal Nurse Consultant course from the University of Rochester is the most comprehensive of all the LNC Programs we’ve covered.
The legal studies for RNs take six months to complete.
The course combines both online classes and in-person sessions.
In fact, students are expected to complete 168 contact hours in an internship besides the online lessons.
By the end of the program, RNs have completed over 2,000 hours of hands-on practice in legal issues.
These RNs can take the certification exam and become LNCC.
Since the program has internship requirements and in-person sessions, students should be able to visit the university when required.
This hybrid program’s fee is $9,840.
LNCs who’ve graduated from the University of Rochester can transfer the credits into a Degree Program.
The Best Legal Nurse Consultant Certifications
We’ve covered the different programs available for RNs aspiring to become LNCs.
Some of those programs prepare RNs for certification exams, while others only have a curriculum for an internal exam.
That said, here are the Legal Nurse Consultant certifying bodies you should register with, take the LNC Certification exam, and become certified:
The American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board (ALNCCB)
The ALNCCB LNC Certification is recognized by the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC).
It’s accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialists (ABNS).
As we all know, accreditation is crucial for any professional certification, and ALNCCB meets this requirement.
The certification exam is quite in-depth.
It tests candidates on key areas, including medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, and worker’s compensation.
Risk management, criminal and forensic issues, life care planning, administrative health law, and elder law are also covered in small portions.
To be eligible for this nationally recognized LNC Certification, you must have an active Registered Nurse license and five years of experience in clinical practice with 2,000 hours in Legal Nurse Consultant work.
Lastly, you must pass the AALNC exam to become Legal Nurse Consultant Certified.
The National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants (NACLNC)
NACLNC administers the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC) Certification.
The NACLNC Certification exam tests candidates on application, analysis, and legal issues comprehension.
Registered Nurses must demonstrate knowledge of industry claims, malpractice, product liability, worker’s compensation, etc.
They must also be well vast with litigation processes and their role in Legal Nurse Consultant Practice.
When it comes to eligibility requirements, Nurses must have an active RN license and complete a NACLNC-approved course to take the CLNC exam and earn the certification.
The American College of Legal Nurse Consulting (ACLNC)
The ACLNC is affiliated with the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals (AIHP).
RNs certified by the agency become Certified Specialists in Legal Nurse Consulting (LNC-CSp).
Candidates can pursue the online continuing education offered by the college or take any other program to prepare for the certification exam as long as the program is a formal education with not less than 90 hours of didactic training.
The program must specifically cover theories and the practice of Legal Nursing Consulting.
To be eligible for this certification program, you must be a practicing RN with an active license.
Conclusion
And there you have it – a detailed guide on the Best Legal Nurse Consultant Programs and Certifications.
There are many options in the market.
And so, when choosing the right Legal Nursing Program, it’s best to find out beforehand whether an on-campus or online course will be the right fit for you.
Additionally, Legal Nurse Consultant training cost varies.
You’d want to put that into consideration.
In the same breath, certification from a reputable certifying agency is your best shot at starting and advancing an LNC Career.
All the best as you choose a Legal Nurse Consultant Program.
FAQs
Can an LPN be a Legal Nurse Consultant?
Yes. But first, you need to become a Registered Nurse as an active RN license and experience are mandatory requirements to become an LNC. That means you’ll enroll in a BSN Program, pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become an RN and gain Nursing experience before enrolling in an LNC Program.
How to get into Legal Nurse Consulting?
The process of becoming an LNC is straightforward:
– Train to become a Registered Nurse
– Gain experience in Nursing as an RN
– Seek employment as LNC
– Maintain your certifications through professional development courses as stipulated by the certifying agency
– Pursue a master’s degree (optional)
What does a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant do?
Bridge the gap between Nursing practice and Legal issues. Analyze, summarize and translate medical records. Guide legal teams on health injuries and illness and the operation of healthcare systems. Break down medical data and medical-related issues to help attorneys and other legal. professionals better understand medical cases.
What is the difference between CLNC and LNCC?
Legal Nurse Consultant Certified is awarded to LNCs who’ve earned their certification through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC). Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC) is awarded by The National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants (NACLNC). Both are LNC Certifications. The difference is the certifying agency.
What is the difference between a Paralegal and a Legal Nurse Consultant?
Legal Nurse Consultants are Registered Nurses who’ve undertaken a Legal Nursing course or Certification Program to become an LNC. They work with Attorneys in cases related to healthcare. Paralegals don’t have a background in Nursing. Paralegals work with Attorneys. They assist in Legal work and Administrative duties.
What is a Legal Nurse Consultant?
A Legal Nurse Consultant is a legal professional who is a Registered Nurse. LNCs use their expertise in clinical practice and law to help solve medical-related cases. They work in law firms, insurance companies, private practices, and hospitals, just to mention a few.
What are the requirements to become a Legal Nurse Consultant?
To become a Legal Nurse Consultant, you must be a Registered Nurse with an active license and years of experience. Additionally, you need to have training in Legal Nurse Consulting. An LNCC or CLNC Certification will also help get your feet wet in the industry.