[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you torn between your love of law and healthcare? Thankfully, you can do both. A legal nurse or [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/legal-nurse/”]nurse attorney[/hen-ui-link] connects these industries by combining their nursing experience with law knowledge to serve as an attorney in various healthcare matters.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Explore what nurse attorneys do, how to start this professional path, and answers to common questions from an actual nurse attorney.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Q&A With a Nurse Attorney[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Lorie A. Brown, RN, MN, JD” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/c_fill,h_300,w_300,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/e_grayscale/v1603315291/experts/Lorie_A._Brown.jpg” img-alt=”Lorie A. Brown, RN, MN, JD” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Lorie A. Brown, RN, MN, JD, has a passion for supporting nurses. She is truly a nurse for nurses. She obtained her law degree from Indiana University in 1990. Lorie founded Brown Law Office, P.C. in 1999 and began working as a legal nurse consultant and representing nurses and other healthcare providers before licensing boards. She also mentors nurses on how to start their own businesses. Lorie has authored three books, “Law and Order for Nurses: The Easy Way to Protect Your License and Your Livelihood,” “From Frustrated to Fulfilled: The Empowered Nurses System,” and “The Legal Nurse Consultant’s Workbook: Turning Your Nursing Knowledge into a Successful Consulting Practice.” She has two weekly blogs, [hen-ui-link href=”https://yournurseattorney.com/” target=”_blank”]Your Nurse Attorney[/hen-ui-link] and [hen-ui-link href=”https://empowerednurses.org/” target=”_blank”]Empowered Nurses[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Q: What are the requirements for becoming a nurse attorney?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A nurse attorney holds dual degrees: a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/”]registered nurse[/hen-ui-link] (RN) license with some type of bachelor’s degree and a juris doctorate, usually with a license to practice law.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Q: What drew you to a career at the intersection of healthcare and law? When in your nursing career did you decide this was something you were interested in doing?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A: I had no intention of becoming a lawyer. I had obtained a master’s in nursing and thought about getting my doctorate in nursing, but I really did not want to teach. At that time, I was going through a divorce and had a great divorce attorney and thought, “I can do this!” So, here I am.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Q: What is the profile of a typical client you might work with?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A: I work with nurses who are in or could be in trouble with the nursing board, or nurses with potential issues against their nursing license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Q: What are some of the greatest challenges and rewards of this type of work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A: These matters take so long before the board and can be difficult. Nurses who make a one-time mistake get in trouble, and resolution becomes a permanent record, where any future employer can find out about previous discipline.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Q: What does the educational pathway look like? Is it more typical for nurse attorneys to start in the medical or legal field?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A: The nurse needs to first obtain a bachelor’s degree, then take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), apply to law school, be admitted, successfully graduate, and then pass the bar exam to become licensed.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Q: What advice would you give to nurses considering this pathway?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Get some nursing experience under your belt. Check out the [hen-ui-link href=”https://taana.org/” target=”_blank”]American Association of Nurse Attorneys[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Nurse Attorney Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse attorneys use their unique skills to represent and support clients in legal matters. While specific tasks vary by workplace, nurse attorneys collaborate with management to support and protect healthcare professionals and institutions and guide patients seeking legal advice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some duties include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Testify as expert witnesses[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Represent healthcare workers in court[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Educate non-legal or non-medical professionals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Review medical records for legal processes[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Analyze personal injury and insurance claims[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Contribute to law journals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Develop and review risk management policies[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Provide guidance on ethical dilemmas to healthcare workers and administrative staff[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Nurse Attorney[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are multiple paths to becoming a nurse attorney, but there are milestones everyone in this profession must accomplish. Prepare to take the following steps.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Earn Your BSN:[/hen-ui-text] Nursing school is the foundation of your nursing career, and necessary to [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/guide/”]pass the NCLEX-RN[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Take the NCLEX-RN:[/hen-ui-text] Pass this exam to work as a registered nurse.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Gain Nursing Experience:[/hen-ui-text] Hands-on experience ensures you incorporate accurate nursing knowledge into your legal practice.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Take the LSAT:[/hen-ui-text] This exam is necessary to enroll in law school.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Earn your Jurisprudence Degree:[/hen-ui-text] Law school is the foundation of your law career, and necessary to take the bar exam in most states.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Take the Bar Exam:[/hen-ui-text] Pass this exam to practice law.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary for Nurse Attorneys[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for nurse attorneys in 2024 is $98,330, with salaries ranging from $40,500 to $192,000. Earnings can vary based on experience, location, nursing education level, certifications, and facility.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions for Nurse Attorneys[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can a nurse become a lawyer in the United States?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, RNs can become lawyers in the United States. Nurse attorneys are trained as both nurses and attorneys.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much does a nurse attorney make?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse attorneys earn an average annual salary of $98,330, according to ZipRecruiter. Your salary may vary based on experience, facility, location, and other factors.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become a nurse attorney?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Expect to spend at least seven years working toward becoming a nurse attorney. The actual time frame will depend on your personal circumstances.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is being a nurse attorney worth it?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It depends. Becoming a nurse attorney can be worthwhile, but it depends on your goals, personality, motives, and values. Becoming a nurse attorney is often rewarding because you can guide other healthcare professionals in legal matters. However, you need additional schooling beyond an RN to become a nurse attorney.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]