Legal Nursing Degree

Students pursuing a legal nursing degree build upon the foundations they’ve already achieved with either an associate’s or bachelor’s in nursing. They learn the intersection between their understanding of medical terminology and how to apply that in legal capacities. Legal nursing consultants (LNC) are nursing graduates who have gone back to school to work within a legal framework. They provide expert medical advice to those considering business or legal actions involving the medical field.

Source: American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants

Job Opportunities for Legal Nursing Degree Program Graduates

There are a number of opportunities for these liaisons between two sectors. The principal one is consulting with attorneys, either in criminal or civil cases. A legal nursing degree holder can aid attorneys in digesting medical developments that will help them better portray the suffering of a client pursuing personal injury damages, for example. They can also work with insurance companies who are developing new policies or attempting to decide whether or not treatments are valid and should be covered by a current health insurance plan. According to the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, specializations may include nurse expert witness, insurance industry consultant, forensic consultant, and risk manager.

Career Outlook and Salary for Legal Nurses

The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t provide data on legal nurse salary but reports that registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $65,950 as of May 2011.¹ One reason for a positive outlook for legal nurses is the large number of medical malpractice cases that continue to grow. In addition to other careers mentioned, patient advocacy is also a possibility, enabling legal nursing degree holders to help those seeking medical treatment get aid or support if they’re suffering financial difficulties.

Online Legal Nursing Degrees and Related School Programs

Everest University Online
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

• Paralegal (Associate's)
• Paralegal (Bachelor's)
• Criminal Justice (Associate's)

Keiser University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

• Nursing, MS
• Paralegal Studies, AA (Online)
• Criminal Justice, AA (Online)

Kaplan University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

• MS in Legal Studies - Education and the Legal System
• MS in Legal Studies - State and Local Government
• BS in Legal Studies

Walden University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

• B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration - Law & Legal Studies
• B.S. in Nursing (BSN)
• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education

Western International University
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Business / Minor in Legal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Business / Minor in Criminal Behavior

Concord Law School
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

• Executive J.D. SM Program
• Juris Doctor Program

University of Phoenix
Campuses: 1Online
Popular Degrees:

• M.S. in Nursing
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
• A.A. in Criminal Justice

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291111.htm