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Seeking a Profession as a Nurse in a Law Firm
by Harrison Barnes, Managing Director - BCG Attorney Search

Legal Nurses
Legal Nurses work for law firms, insurance companies and hospitals and often serve as expert witness in legal cases. To be a legal nurse, a 4 year degree in nursing is necessary and sometimes a graduate degree along with at least 3 years of experience in the nursing field. Sometimes certification as a nurse consultant and possibly some legal education is requested by employers.
Nurses who work for lawyers need to read medical records, do forensic medical consulting and investigation, and help colleagues who need to understand the medical significance of an illness in light of the cases being represented. Legal nurses can also do medical research and screen cases to determine if they are worth accepting. Legal nurses need to have excellent communication skills to convey medical information. Knowledge of medical terminology and the ability to make fine distinctions in health care are important in this position.
Hours for Legal Nurses can be much better than the long 12 hour shifts they would work in a hospital with patients. Working for a law firm their job is often done in an office or courtroom and hours are based on the hiring firm’s requirements. Legal nurses can also work for insurance companies or corporations where the hours may be closer to 40 hours a week.
Hospitals that employ Legal Nurse Consultants have them work with risk management and claims management. They investigate claims brought against the hospital and do investigative reports regarding those claims.
The overall job opportunities in nursing are expected to be excellent over the next decade. As a Legal Nurse (Consultant with a certificate) or an RN with a paralegal certificate, you have given yourself the best chances to be employed as a legal nurse demanding the best salary.
In conclusion, Legal Nurses will be in demand as opportunities in law, insurance, corporations and hospitals increase. The Legal Registered Nurse is important for Lawyers who must understand the significance of the jargon used in medical records and by the medical staff. Nurses with their RN and further education will be in a better position to compete. Nurses who freelance with a consultant certification are inline to earn the best pay at $250 per hour. The Legal Nurse is better paid than the hospital nurse and has the opportunity to work shorter hours. A Legal Nurse has more opportunities to work for the private sector, insurance and corporations. The health care field will contribute the most new jobs to our economy and employ many health care professionals. Legal nursing looks like a great direction for many nurses, especially those looking for pay increases and a new environment in which to work.
Please see the following articles for more information about legal staff positions:
- Legal Proofreaders
- Becoming a Legal File Clerk Can Be a Great Entry into the Field of Law
- Various Types of Paralegal Jobs
- Becoming an E-Discovery Professional
- The Virtual Paralegal Allows Paralegals to Work at Home or Offsite
- Tips for Becoming a Successful Paralegal
- Honoring and Celebrating Paralegals Untiring Behind the Scene Work
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Harrison Barnes does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for attorneys and law students each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can attend anonymously and ask questions about your career, this article, or any other legal career-related topics. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
Harrison also does a weekly free webinar with live Q&A for law firms, companies, and others who hire attorneys each Wednesday at 10:00 am PST. You can sign up for the weekly webinar here: Register on Zoom
You can browse a list of past webinars here: Webinar Replays
You can also listen to Harrison Barnes Podcasts here: Attorney Career Advice Podcasts
You can also read Harrison Barnes' articles and books here: Harrison's Perspectives
Harrison Barnes is the legal profession's mentor and may be the only person in your legal career who will tell you why you are not reaching your full potential and what you really need to do to grow as an attorney--regardless of how much it hurts. If you prefer truth to stagnation, growth to comfort, and actionable ideas instead of fluffy concepts, you and Harrison will get along just fine. If, however, you want to stay where you are, talk about your past successes, and feel comfortable, Harrison is not for you.
Truly great mentors are like parents, doctors, therapists, spiritual figures, and others because in order to help you they need to expose you to pain and expose your weaknesses. But suppose you act on the advice and pain created by a mentor. In that case, you will become better: a better attorney, better employees, a better boss, know where you are going, and appreciate where you have been--you will hopefully also become a happier and better person. As you learn from Harrison, he hopes he will become your mentor.
To read more career and life advice articles visit Harrison's personal blog.
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About Harrison Barnes
Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.
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