While legal nurse consultant certification is not legally required, it can be an advantage if you want to advance your career. The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) offers certification for qualified nurses who have completed at least 2000 hours of legal nurse consulting experience and hold an active nursing license. To qualify, you must have been in practice for at least five years and have worked for an organization that provides legal nurse consulting services. For more information, contact the AALNC.
Several accredited online programs offer legal nurse consultant certification. Florida Atlantic University offers an affordable online course that prepares nurses to sit for the LNC exam. Interested nurses must have an active RN license and three years of clinical nursing experience to participate in this program. The online course counts for 33 continuing education credits and prepares nurses to take the LNC exam. It also counts toward the CNA requirements. The online course will prepare you to pass the LNC exam.
In addition, the American Board of Nursing has recognized the LNC designation. It is the only credential that is comparable to other clinical specialties. After earning the certification, legal nurses can take advantage of continuing education through webinars sponsored by the AALNC. In addition to free webinars, the AALNC also offers recordings of past webinars. Attending webinars can boost your career, increase your expertise, and establish a higher level of professionalism. The credential also brings personal satisfaction.