Expertise
The Complicated Orthopedic Case: Warning Signs
Sarah Stiner was a star soccer player in high school. During one game early in the season, a fellow player kicked her in the knee with sufficient force to break her knee cap. The wound did not heal, despite many courses of antibiotics to treat brewing osteomyelitis. After ordering 18 months of treatment, Sarah’s orthopedist…
Read MoreAcute Head Injury: What the Bedside Nurse Sees Before the Scan Confirms It
A nurse is doing a routine neuro check on a patient admitted after a fall with impact to her head six hours earlier. She sustained fractures of both arms. The head CT scan was within normal limits. The patient was oriented, moving all extremities, pupils equal and reactive. She complained of a mild headache and…
Read MoreDeposition Preparation for Nursing Expert Witnesses
The deposition conference room felt colder than expected. Maria, a seasoned ICU nurse turned legal nurse consultant, sat at the polished table reviewing her notes for the third time. Across from her, the court reporter adjusted her machine. The defense attorney flipped through a thick binder without looking up. Maria had testified before—but this was…
Read More5 Biggest LNC Content Creation Mistakes LNCs Make
Legal nurse consultants sit on a wealth of knowledge. Think of your years of clinical experience, thousands of pages of medical records you’ve read, and countless conversations with attorneys, which all add up to deep professional insight. Yet many LNCs find themselves staring at a blank screen when it comes time for LNC content creation.…
Read MoreExpert Witness Requirements State by State
An LNC recently asked me whether she’d remain qualified to serve as an expert witness after she stopped working clinically. The answer, as in much of the law, is “It depends.” In some states, an expert witness must meet specific requirements to offer opinions in medical malpractice cases. There are good 50-state compilations, but turning…
Read MoreHealthcare Serial Killers
Healthcare serial killers are among the most chilling criminals. They use their medical knowledge and access to vulnerable patients to carry out their heinous crimes. I worked with prosecutors on the Charles Cullen RN case. He is widely believed to be the most prolific healthcare killer and was the subject of the book and movie,…
Read MoreThe Persistent LNC Turns Setbacks into Success
How easily do you give up? Or are you persistent? A persistent LNC is one who steadfastly pursues a goal or objective despite obstacles, setbacks, or difficulties. Do you have unwavering determination, resilience, and consistent effort over time, even when immediate results are not apparent? I see many would be LNCs give up after their…
Read MoreIdentify the Physician Personality Type: The LNC Guide to Dealing with Them Part 2
Can you identify the physician personality type you’re working with? In this second part of this series, I share more tips that you should be aware of and how to respond. Some physicians are easier to work with than others. This post points out a variety of physician personalities and examples of dealing with…
Read MoreYour LNC Business: What Does it Take to Get Started?
Your LNC Business: What Does it Take to Get Started? When starting your LNC business, the first and most essential step is to assess your value as a nurse and the skills that make you uniquely qualified for this path. Set aside doubts about not knowing legal terms or lacking a law background; those can…
Read MoreNurse Practitioners’ Malpractice Claims
Despite their vital role in the healthcare workforce, NPs often face malpractice claims comparable to that of physicians. As NPs’ scope of practice expanded, so too have malpractice claims. The Nurse Services Organization (NSO) revealed these claims arose from misdiagnosis, failure or delayed diagnosis, medication-related errors, monitoring failure, injury severity, inadequate physician supervision, or failure…
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