"It's like solving a puzzle, putting all the pieces together. I really enjoy what I do,
from reviewing medical records to helping attorneys identify potential medical experts."
Combining their knowledge about the world of medicine with the needs of the legal system, legal nurse consultants are a link between the hospital room with the courtroom.
Legal nurse consultants use their medical expertise to help organize and interpret medical records, prepare chronologies in medical cases, assess standards of care and identify expert witnesses in medical/legal cases.
They can also be called as expert medical witnesses in high-profile court cases, helping attorneys understand the intricacies of health care and the complex maze of medical terms.
The specialty of legal nursing is growing; at last count there were 52 local chapters and 3,657 members of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants in the United States.
Georgia has one chapter, but that's about to change, thanks to the efforts of nurses in the Augusta area.
Legal nurse consultant Lessie Chapman, RN, MSN, APRN, BC, CPHQ, CLCP, is spearheading the campaign to start an AALNC chapter in Augusta. Atlanta has a AALNC chapter with 50 members, led by president Dee Merriman, RN, BSN, LNC.
"Sharing our expertise helps us all be better at our jobs," Merriman said. Legal nurses often act as detectives in cases, pulling together information from many sources.
"It's like solving a puzzle, putting all the pieces together," Chapman said. "I really enjoy what I do, from reviewing medical records to helping attorneys identify potential medical experts.
"The AALNC provides support to nurses who want to pursue the profession. Being a member of the AALNC helps us in many ways. We follow strict ethical standards and promote the profession."
To become a legal nurse consultant, a nurse should have strong clinical experience and a background in health care case management, Chapman said. Being able to maintain objectivity and having strong communications skills is also necessary, she added. It also helps to understand risk management and quality assurance issues.
Chapman, like many of her colleagues, still maintains her clinical work. She's currently working in home health care.
"Being a legal nurse consultant is very rewarding, and every case is different," Chapman said. "However, until you build your legal nurse consultancy, don't quit your day job."
For information about becoming a legal nurse consultant, visit www.aalnc.org.
For nurses interested in joining the Augusta chapter of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, call Chapman at 706-860-1106.
For information about the Atlanta chapter of AALNC, call Merriman at 404-954-5000, ext. 2070.