Exploring Nurse Legal Consultant Earnings
What is a Nurse Legal Consultant?
Commonly referred to as a healthcare consultant, a nurse legal consultant is a healthcare professional who has expertise in law and the procedures and practices used in healthcare facilities. Nurse legal consultants are hired by attorneys to act as advocates for their clients, learning about how injured patients are treated at medical facilities, including identifying negligence-related issues, then filing reports used as evidence against hospitals or medical providers. The consultants are also called to testify in court.
As experts in the inner workings and issues that occur within healthcare facilities, nurse legal consultants are often called to give expert reviews of medical malpractice claims. This involves reviewing records for potential injuries , then visiting the healthcare facility in question to learn about the processes and procedures. Healthcare attorneys oftentimes hire experienced nurse consultants to handle all of this, and more, in healthcare malpractice, negligence, and other related cases. The consultants can also testify on their findings and conclusions in court.
Nurse legal consultants act as the bridge between healthcare professionals and the law, working in both environments. A healthcare attorney will call personal injury lawyers to discuss a case, review the evidence with the nurse, then the nurse will go over all of the findings with the attorney and serve as an advocate, identifying any errors that happened at medical facilities that may have led to an injury. The nurse legal consultant holds sound knowledge in both areas, working with the healthcare facility to identify positive actions too, as well as review the law that relates to the case.
Average Compensation for Nurse Legal Consultants
Nurse legal consultants typically earn between $65,000 and $145,000. For those in management positions, salaries can go up to $160,000.
The average salary for nurse legal consultants is $89,000, which varies based upon the industry. For example, nurse legal consultants working in management (10,000 employees or more) average $112,000 annually, while those employed by hospitals bring home an average of $69,000. The location where a nurse legal consultant works also affects the average salary. Those who work at hospitals in North Dakota bring home an average salary of $48,000, which is the lowest in the nation. The highest salary for nurse legal consultants working at hospitals is in Washington. The average salary in this state is $113,000. Large law firms with more than 500 employees typically pay nurse legal consultants around $117,000. For those employed at smaller firms, salaries average about $95,000. Besides hospitals and law firms, other employers of nurse legal consultants include attorneys in private practice, the federal government and private companies within the healthcare industry.
Factors that Influence Nurse Legal Consultant Pay
Various factors play a role in the high earning potential in this field. Experience is one of them – generally, as a Nurse Legal Consultant gains experience, their salary will increase. Specific certifications are also helpful; CLI and LNC certifications from the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) can make a Nurse Legal Consultant more of a desirable candidate and help him/her earn a higher salary. The type of employer also plays a role; for example, a Nurse Legal Consultant working in the U.S. government can expect to earn a starting salary of $73,500, while one working for an insurance carrier can earn a starting salary of $93,000.
The setting in which a Nurse Legal Consultant works is another factor that can greatly impact their earnings. It’s not uncommon for Nurse Legal Consultants who own their own business that have built up a substantial client base to earn six figures. "If you open your own business and build up your clientele," writes nurselegalconsultant.com, "you can write your own ticket."
Geographical Salary Differences
Regional disparities in nurse legal consultant salaries are important considerations for legal nurse consultants when pursuing employment opportunities. In general, the rates here are for LNCs who have been at home for a few years and have a history of success in the field.
The highest paying area in the United States is Atlanta, Georgia, with average salaries starting around $64 per hour. The next two top markets are Washington D.C. and San Francisco, with salaries varying from $60 to $75 per hour. These top markets are in top tier cities with high living costs. So, although the above salaries look good on paper, the cost of housing is 50% to 200% higher than other cities across the country. In contrast, a Nurse Legal Consultant based in Des Moines, Iowa, can easily command $75 per hour, but overall salaries in the Midwest average out lower than the above cities , with starting salaries beginning around $45 per hour. Compare those salaries with states such as Wisconsin ($35) to New York ($54). Certainly, there is a regional disconnect between the east and west coasts, and the south and mid-west states. Most non-coastal cities have comparable salaries. Smaller cities yield salaries under $50.
When hiring a nurse legal consultant, the leading factors for wages include the cost of living, with housing being the leading factor, the demand for surgical procedures, and a higher demand for surgical procedures resulting in litigation. The salaries are much higher in areas where the demand is high and litigation is frequent, such as in Florida, where particular medical specialties are of high demand. On the other hand, the Midwest and other parts of the country yield comparable hourly wages in the $40 to $50 range, but litigation is less frequent and the need for surgical procedures is reportedly lower.
Advancement and Earning Growth
For clinical nurse consultants and nurse paralegal, there is great potential for career and personal growth. Sophisticated employers can improve patient outcomes and decrease costs. The profession is rapidly growing, adding 25,000 jobs over the past decade, and will continue to do so. As the healthcare and legal industries continuously evolve, additional education and specialization awards nurse legal consultants even greater earning potential and job opportunities. In addition to master’s or doctorate degrees, in specialized fields, nurse consultants with advanced certifications can make a difference in their client’s case and significantly increase their value. Over the next five to seven years, nurse consultants will play an increasingly important role. Insurance companies, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and large healthcare systems will see the value of nurse consultants and their expertise in reducing the cost of care and improving clinical practices.
Other Perks Beyond Salary
While salary is an important consideration for many, there are a host of non-salary benefits that can be factored into the compensation package for a Nurse Legal Consultant. One of the most significant is flexible work hours. As a consultant, you have greater control over your schedule. You can accept assignments that fit in with your personal commitments, or deny work that interferes with your home or social life.
Job satisfaction may also be a factor for Nurse Legal Consultants. Physicians. While some find the practice of medicine fulfilling, many physicians are frustrated with the "business" side of medicine today . Third party payors, government regulations, loss of autonomy and increased patient loads are just a few of the complaints that we hear from physicians. Your primary focus in a consulting role will be on helping lawyers, not on billing third-party carriers or government programs.
Work life balance may also factored into non-salary compensation. You may be able to dedicate the time you need to your work and your personal life. As a Nurse Legal Consultant you are more likely to be an independent contractor than an employee, again giving you more control over your work schedule.