Becoming a nurse attorney requires the perfect blend of two areas of profession. Many people today find a career by blending two different professions together. With many industries becoming increasingly complex as the years go on, the need for educated employees that can understand and work in many areas has also increased. If you’re wondering what a nurse attorney is what how you can become one, the following information can set you on the right path.
What is a Nurse Attorney?
A nurse attorney, in its simplest form, is someone who has earned both their nursing and law degrees. These specialized attorneys can work in a number of arenas, like administrative law, patient safety, risk management, academia, litigation, and regulatory compliance. According to Discover Nursing, nurse attorneys can even have careers in writing; as editors or authors for professional journals.
Nurse attorneys can represent a variety of clients in court, like medical professionals and healthcare facilities. These careers have also become essential in changing healthcare policies and advocating for proper patient care. There are many ways a nurse attorney can be involved in courtroom careers; by being involved in malpractice suits or consulting on disputes with insurance companies, for example.
There are many careers outside of the courtroom for nurse attorneys also. With this profession, you can be a lobbyist, work in healthcare administration, or become a teacher of both nursing and law.
How Do You Become a Nurse Attorney?
The first step in becoming a nurse attorney is to receive an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. After receiving the initial degree, you will need to receive your RN designation. Receiving this designation means that you are officially certified to become a registered nurse. States vary as to their requirements for becoming a certified RN, but most RNs take the National Council Licensure Examination, given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
It is highly recommended that after becoming a registered nurse you gather some experience in the nursing field. This experience will help you gather the proper background skills and experience necessary to represent the medical field in the area of law. After gaining some nursing experience, you’ll want to pick a law school to attend and study for and take the LSAT, a law school admissions test.
If you pass the LSAT, you will be admitted to law school where you will eventually receive your Juris Doctor degree when you graduate. After receiving your Juris Doctor, you will need to study for and take the state bar licensing exam in your state of residence. In the future, you can also petition to practice law in other states as well. You would now have both your nursing and law degrees, making you a nurse attorney.
Related Resource: How Do You Become a Health Information Manager?
Becoming a nurse attorney is a way to assist and have a career in the medical field, while also helping the industry’s legal side. This career has become increasingly popular with the areas of medicine, patient care/advocacy, and law becoming more and more closely intertwined. If you’re someone who is interested in joining the selfless career of nursing, but also want to do more to help, becoming a nurse attorney could be perfect for you.
