Legal Nurse Consulting—Nurse Paralegal Certificate (Post Secondary)

This certificate program is designed to further educate and advance the skills of licensed registered nurses. A Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) is a part of a growing field of experts contracted or employed by various legal entities for expert opinions and advice relating to medical issues. A LNC is a licensed registered nurse who has broad clinical experience coupled with training in law and legal procedures. A LNC offers the legal system an affordable alternative to higher priced physicians and other medical experts. A LNC is able to project medical costs, review patient care, conduct medical records review, provide life care planning and conduct medical bill audits.

The program is limited to licensed registered nurses with a minimum of an Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor Degree in Nursing is preferred. A minimum of two years full-time (2000 hours or equivalent experience) of demonstrable work experience as an RN is also required. For admission to the program students must submit a copy of the RN license, transcripts showing completion of at least an Associate Degree in Nursing, and some proof of two years of work experience.

Students must satisfy the prerequisite of each course in the program by either: (a) completing the prerequisite courses, or (b) demonstrating to the legal assisting technology program director that they have otherwise met the prerequisites. Students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of the certificate curriculum at Kent State University. A maximum of 10 transfer credit hours may be applied to the certificate ate provided the original course grade appears on the transcript.