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Nurse paralegals specialize in the area of medicine. They usually have a formal education or training in medicine and understand the medical terms and the organization of medical records. Many have a formal education and background as a nurse.
Nurse paralegals can communicate effectively with medical expert witnesses and medical care providers. They can tackle the laws governing obtaining medical records, assist attorneys in understanding medical issues, and conduct research. Completion of a paralegal training program is a plus when making the transition from nurse to paralegal.
It's estimated that a nurse paralegal will earn a salary comparable to that of a nurse (which is higher than the average salary of a paralegal). It's a perfect field for a nurse wanting to make a career change that builds on his or her medical background.
In addition to nurse paralegals, nurses interested in law can become legal nurse consultants (LCN). There is no particular course of study to become an LNC. LCN's often work for law firms, insurance companies, or even on their own as a consultant. They may aid attorneys in preparing court cases. The average LCN salary is also similar to a typical nurses salary.
There are a growing number of nurse attorneys as well as nurse paralegals and LCN's. Nurse attorneys have degrees in both nursing and law and are registered attorneys in the state they practice in. As a result of their advanced legal degree, their salary is much higher than that of a nurse.
The need for nurse attorneys, nurse paralegals, and LCN's is increasing due to the growth in medical malpractice lawsuits. In addition to practicing in the legal field, these specialists often educate nurses on how to avoid lawsuits.
So if you're currently in the nursing or medical field and think a change into the legal profession might suit you, consider a career path as a nurse paralegal, LCN, or even a nurse attorney. It is definitely possible to build off the background you already have.
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