What Is the Role of a Nurse Consultant?
Consultant nurses use their education and experience to provide depositions and testimony in medical-related legal cases. These types of nurses work on cases involving medical malpractice, criminal cases, personal injury and litigation. Most legal experts don't have any experience in the medical field, it's the consultant nurse's role to advise and educate them on medical cases.
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Responsibilities
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Consultant nurses conduct research, review medical records and prepare reports for legal cases. Nurses go through medical records and help prepare attorneys by explaining medical jargon and dissecting complicated health problems. Consultant nurses can either take the stand as a witness or help prepare witnesses by coaching them.
Opportunities
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There are many career opportunities for consultant nurses. They can pursue this profession as a part-time or full-time capacity. If still employed by a hospital, nurse consultants can work on cases during their free time while maintaining a career as a registered nurse. Other consultant nurses can find employment in law firms and insurance companies.
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Skills
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Consultant nurses must possess a strong understanding of medical terminology, injuries and equipment. Nurses have to be well organized and have the ability to pay attention to details. Anyone wanting to become a consulting nurse must have the emotional stability to deal with human suffering and stressful situations. Having excellent communication skills allows nurses to work effectively with potential witnesses and be successful on the witness stand.
Education
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, anyone looking to enter the field of nursing must complete a Bachelor's of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited university. Most of these programs take about four years to complete and include classes in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, nutrition and microbiology. Prospective consultant nurses can benefit themselves by taking classes in legal-related areas.
Certification
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Certification is offered through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants. To become certified, consultant nurses must pass a test, which evaluates them on their legal and medical knowledge. While not required, becoming certified proves to potential employers that a registered nurse has the skills, knowledge and ability to be an effective consulting nurse.
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