Business Principles for Legal Nurse Consultants
The challenges of owning a business are many: developing a business plan, marketing services, astutely handling financing, buying the right software and hardware, hiring subcontractors and employees, developing and keeping strong relationships with clients, and avoiding ethical conflicts, to name a few. This text is designed to help legal nurse consultants with these challenges.
If you are considering starting a business, “Getting Started” by Jenny Beerman and Lynda Watson will help you sort through the issues involved in this huge step. You will find practical suggestions for marketing and advertising in the second chapter written by Debra Summers. Terry Treiger, a website expert and nurse, contributed valuable information for the chapter on website development and maintenance. This chapter is loaded with practical information and resources. Pat Karalow, an expert at understanding the technology issues associated with LNC practice, shares her knowledge in “Technology and the Office”. Essential information for handling growth with the help of subcontractors and employees will help you avoid the pitfalls. Rose Clifford and Deborah D’Andrea, both experienced LNCs, poured their knowledge into two outstanding chapters. Pattie Patterson offers useful ideas on establishing strong billing and collections procedures needed to maintain cash flow. The tricky ethical minefield is carefully mapped out by Betty Joos in a chapter filled with examples specific to legal nurse consulting. Elena Capella’s chapter on expanding and managing change will help you anticipate and face the inevitable changes in your business. Rob Morrison has assembled concrete suggestions for developing and strengthening relationships with attorneys. Lenora Smith’s chapter is essential for LNCs functioning in the expert witness role.
The idea for this text developed out of an analysis of AALNC’s existing products. The AALNC Board of Directors identified the need to provide a text that would complement the Legal Nurse Consulting: Principles and Practices, Second Edition. The concept of a book that focused on the business aspects of the field was enthusiastically endorsed by the Board when I presented them with an outline of chapters. After I accepted the responsibility for guiding this book to completion, I knew that associate editors would be needed. Jan Aken and Kathie Condon provided the framework that enabled our vision to materialize. They eagerly learned the art and craft of being editors.
We are indebted to our authors, who patiently incorporated the comments of the editors into second and third drafts of their chapters. We are awed by their expertise and gratified by their willingness to help others learn from their experiences and knowledge. We offer this book to you, with our hopes that it will be a useful reference that will expand your horizons and help you with the challenges of being in business.
Patricia W. Iyer MSN RN LNCC
Chief Editor
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