The Scope and Standards of Practice for the Legal Nurse Consultant was 1st published in October 1995. It is based upon the profession of nursing with acquisition of certain knowledge regarding the law. As a Legal Nurse Consultant my role is distinct from that of the Paralegal or Legal Assistant. The primary role of the Legal Nurse Consultant is to review, analyze and provide informed opinions regarding the provision of health care, the relevant standards of care and the resulting outcomes. The role of the Paralegal and Legal Assistant is to “assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services,” according to the National Association of Legal Assistants. These are complimentary but very different roles.
As a active member of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants and a member and on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Chapter I have been mentoring new LNCs for many years as well as speaking at local and national conferences. It is an exciting new frontier from which to shape the health care of the future. Read More