If you are a CLNC® or a current VMI student, you receive FREE membership in the National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants (NACLNC®). An exclusive benefit of NACLNC® membership is FREE access to the private online NACLNC® Community section of the Institute's website.
The NACLNC® Community brings you:
Marketing – Create your effective marketing packet using our easy, step-by-step checklist.
Interview Questions – Anticipate and prepare to respond to this list of attorneys' most common questions – such as "What will this case cost?" – with self-assurance and confidence. Each question comes complete with knock-the-attorney's-socks-off answers suggested by me and our CLNC® Pros.
Recommended Authoritative Nursing and Medical Textbooks – Make locating the right reference easy and fast. This extensive book collection points you quickly to the authoritative texts for each medical and nursing specialty. An added bonus is a direct link to Amazon.com for each book.
Legal Nurse Consulting Ezine Archive – Access all back issues for hundreds of tips, techniques and best practices for CLNC®s.
CLNC® Resource Links – Save time with this comprehensive list of hundreds of the best Internet links for medical topics and business development. The time you'll save in researching your cases will make this your first Internet destination.
If you are a CLNC® or student of the Institute, tap into the Internet's best source for legal nurse consulting resources today. Take advantage of the NACLNC® Community and the tremendous benefits this specialized collection of information delivers to build your CLNC® practice quickly and profitably.
Success is Yours!
Vickie L. Milazzo, RN, MSN, JD
P.S. If you are not yet a student or CLNC®, call 800-880-0944 today to inquire about our trademark CLNC® Certification Program.
CLNC® SUCCESS STORY
The Bullet-Proof CLNC® Certification Program Let Me Dare to Dream
by Gina Rogers, RN, BSN, CLNC
Several years ago I began searching for a new opportunity that would challenge me personally and professionally. After two years I began considering legal nurse consulting. I read about Vickie Milazzo's CLNC® Certification Program on the Internet and learned that a nurse from my home state of Kentucky was a frequent contributor to Vickie's Legal Nurse Consulting Ezine. Because I wanted another opinion, I called this CLNC®. My soon-to-be-mentor assured me Vickie's program was top quality and would prepare me for my new career. With her encouragement, I ordered the CLNC® Home-Study Certification Program the very next day. I still cherish my friendship with my mentor.
The CLNC® Home-Study Certification Program gave me everything I needed to get started, answered all my questions and prepared me for every situation I've encountered with attorney-clients. The course definitely delivers more than it costs.
I love Vickie's teaching style – she's a high-energy dynamo. She pulls you right in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. She relates each topic to everyday things you can easily grasp. I kept wanting to listen more and more, and I easily retained the information. I did everything Vickie laid out – all her techniques are bullet-proof. She really wants you to succeed. She stands behind her program 100%, and she's there to mentor her new CLNC®s. I still listen to her tapes and pick up new bits of information vital to my practice.
I treasure the years I spent in the ICU, CCU, ER and cardiac cath lab, but I wanted control and flexibility, which I didn't have with 12-hour shifts at a hospital.
A six-month "temporary" job in the utilization review department had turned into a six-year occupation. I had the opportunity to review charts throughout the hospital, which prepared me to assess medical records quickly and gave me a broad perspective on all kinds of medicine. This position was a natural bridge to becoming a successful CLNC®.
I Exceeded My Nursing Salary Within 6 Months as a CLNC®
When I first began my CLNC® practice, I replaced my nurse's salary within six months. At that point I left hospital employment, focused full-time on my consulting practice and never looked back. Then I had more time to market, market, market, and my business grew accordingly.
I have enjoyed every experience as an independent business owner. As a CLNC® I have discovered new and exciting friends. This career has allowed me to do many things for myself and my family. What a wonderful feeling. I couldn't be happier.
Working with attorneys is rewarding and a lot of fun – they challenge me in many ways, and they appreciate my guidance and respect my opinion. With Vickie's program I have the blueprint to fulfill their needs. I learned to speak the attorneys' language and quickly made myself a leader in this arena. My CLNC® services include reviewing cases for merit, preparing timelines, locating expert witnesses and helping with interrogatories, discovery and deposition questions.
Vickie's 3-Foot Rule Worked for Me
Before becoming a CLNC® I didn't know any attorneys, so I started asking around, using Vickie's "three-foot rule" – asking everybody within three feet if they had any leads or knew any attorneys. A church friend referred me to an attorney, and after I followed Vickie's instructions exactly, he referred me to another one. I networked with everyone and got my foot in several attorneys' doors, which has opened new opportunities.
The biggest mistake I ever made was with my first attorney interview. I couldn't think of anything to say. I had forgotten how to start the interview and how to sell my service as a CLNC®. The situation only got worse as the interview continued and I left his office empty-handed. I thought I could waltz into the attorney's office without practicing beforehand, and everything would go smoothly. But that's not the way it works.
Before my next attorney interview I re-listened to Vickie's tapes from the CLNC® Home-Study Certification Program and practiced interview questions, opening lines and closing comments. When I arrived for that interview, I was very prepared. The attorney-prospect leaned across the conference table, looked me in the eye and said, "Are you any good?" Because I had practiced and prepared, my brain went into automatic mode and I started spouting everything I'd heard on Vickie's tapes. He sat back in his chair, slid a large stack of medical records across the table, and said, "You're hired!" I walked out smiling from ear to ear. I was thrilled I had listened to those tapes.
At first, I was fearful of calling attorneys, but it gets easier and easier. The first time I called an attorney, my heart was pounding and I was almost shaking. Now it's an enjoyable experience because I know the service I can provide and the reward I can receive.
I Enjoy All the Rewards of My Hard Work
One thing I love about being a CLNC® is that the harder I work, the more I'm rewarded. That's not usually the case in hospitals, which is frustrating.
To those considering this profession, I say don't let barriers stand in your way. Being from a small rural community and not knowing any attorneys could have stopped me from pursuing my dream. But I knew opportunities were out there if I would "dare to dream." I encourage you to get rid of those barriers, dare to dream and rise to the top. Take that first step up the mountain. With every step the view is a little grander.
I thank Vickie and her staff for giving of themselves, which has contributed to my successful CLNC® business.
Gina I. Rogers, RN, BSN, CLNC is the founder of Medical Review Consulting, LLC in Kentucky. Her company consults with plaintiff and defense attorneys as well as insurance companies. She serves as a CLNC® Mentor as well as a faculty member for the Institute.
