Legal Nurse Consultant LNC.S.CRT

One-year Technical Certificate - 33 Credit Hours

Division: Business and Public Services
Department: Legal Studies
Effective as of Fall 2023

What is the program about?

The Legal Studies program educates students with practical assignments in a "simulated law office" environment. All student work demonstrates the professional, ethical, and technology concepts they will use in the legal field. All full-time faculty in the Legal Studies program have graduated from law school. The objective of the Legal Nurse Consultant Certificate is to prepare the registered nurse to perform legal analysis of health care issues as well as prepare them for litigation preparation on medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Building on the nurse's education and clinical experience, the program will provide the practical skills and legal knowledge necessary to function in the legal arena. Additionally, instructors will ensure that nurses who take the program understand the role of the Legal Nurse Consultant in the greater community and what is involved in working as a consultant. This certificate is intended to enhance the attractiveness of an already obtained Nursing degree by providing students with practical skills needed to work in the legal field. All students are required to complete an attorney-supervised internship for hands-on experience using their practical skills. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all courses to remain in the program. Established in 1978, the Sinclair Legal Studies Program was the first paralegal program in the area, and the first in the area to be approved by the American Bar Association. Sinclair Legal Studies graduates hold a degree from an ABA-Approved program at a fully-accredited Ohio college. Students must take at least nine credits of the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

Program Outcomes

• Competently conduct factual and legal research and communicate the results clearly and concisely
• Competently prepare and interpret legal documents
• Demonstrate competency in current technology
• Exemplify a high standard of ethical and professional behavior individually, and as a member of the legal team

Career Opportunities

LNCs combine nursing expertise with legal knowledge to advise attorneys, and others, on matters involving medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, workers' compensation, healthcare licensure investigations, and other healthcare related cases. Legal Nurse Consultants can find themselves in positions where they: review and analyze medical records, screen for record tampering, interview clients, conduct research and summarize medical literature, evaluate liabilities and damages, assist with discovery and depositions, prepare exhibits and render informed opinions to attorneys on the delivery of health care and its outcomes for specific cases, assist in the selection of expert witnesses as needed, and serve as expert witnesses in cases involving nursing standards of care or related matters

Transferability

The Legal Studies program has multiple articulation agreements. As this is a certificate for individuals who already have a Nursing degree,the primary usage of course work will be receiving practical skills that result in employment in a legal environment.

Prerequisites

• Approval of Department
• Must be an RN
• Must have the necessary general education requirements

Credentials

Sinclair Legal Studies graduates receive their degree from a college that is fully accredited, in a program that is approved by the American Bar Association and the Ohio Department of Higher Education. In the state of Ohio, Legal Nurse Consultants are not required to be licensed by the state to perform services under the supervision of a lawyer. Legal Nurse Consultants may apply to be a part of national organizations. Completion of a degree or certificate in the Legal Studies Program does not authorize a graduate to practice law as an attorney or to give legal advice.

Additional Information

Program Accreditation Information

Sinclair Legal Nurse Consultant graduates hold a certificate from an ABA-Approved program at a fully-accredited Ohio college.