Legal Nurse Consultant

A legal nurse consultant uses his or her knowledge about health and medicine to assist lawyers with preparing medical cases. In addition to interviewing witnesses and patients, a legal nurse consultant may organize medical records, locate evidence, and educate lawyers about medical issues. In many cases, a legal nurse consultant is also responsible for determining damages and costs associated with the case.

In order to become a legal nurse assistant, you must first become a registered nurse. Becoming a registered nurse requires either earning a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or a diploma from an accredited nursing program. For those who already hold a bachelor's degree in another area, it is also possible to participate in an accelerated BSN program. These programs typically take 12 to 18 months to complete. After completing the necessary coursework, you must then successfully complete a national licensing examination in order to receive your nursing license.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for registered nurses was $57,280 in 2006. As with all occupations within the medical field, employment opportunities for legal nurse consultants are expected to grow at a faster rate than other occupations over the next several years.

A good candidate for becoming a legal nurse consultant is someone who has an interest in the medical field, but does not necessarily want to provide direct care to patients. Those with an interest in law and who possess excellent communication skills are particularly well suited to this career.