Program Code: LNC.S.CRT • Credit Hours: 33
Description
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 are licensed attorneys. 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.
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.
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