Testifying at a Nurse Expert Witness Deposition: Anticipate These Questions

You've decided to be a testifying nurse expert witness but you're unsure what you'll be asked. As a Professional Legal Nurse Consultant, you decided to increase your income by trying your hand at testifying.

First thing is first - you'll be sworn in. No matter what, you are there to tell the truth.

There are lots of questions you will, or may, be asked. Here are a few:

List all things, including documents and other items, you used to arrive at your expert opinion. This means you need to know exactly what the attorney provided to you and everything you reviewed, no matter where you got it from. An internet search, books and journals are sources you may have reviewed and must provide to counsel.

Your education, experience and qualifications. The best way to handle this question is to have a curriculum vitae that is up-to-date. Simply provide that to counsel and be prepared to answer questions about it.

Your opinions and the bases for each opinion. As a PLNC, you have reviewed the medical records and formed opinions. Carefully explain each opinion and how you arrived at each.

You can do it. You have the knowledge, the drive and, most importantly, you are a Professional Legal Nurse Consultant.

5 Ways To Increase Your Legal Nurse Practice

It's time to put into practice what you've been thinking about doing for awhile. Expand your Professional Legal Nurse Consultant (PLNC) practice. Here's five ways to do this:

1. Compile a list of fifty attorneys in your area. You want their name, email, address and phone. Send five personalized emails per day including all the PLNC services you can provide.

2. Call each attorney you emailed. For example, you'll send five emails today and tomorrow you'll follow up.

3. Mail each attorney a short letter. Brevity is important so use bullet points to list your PLNC services.

4. Write an article for the local bar association. This is your chance to shine. Tell the reader how you can help, citing your nursing experience and excitement for the job.

5. Get, or update, your Profile Listing on the Jurex Expert Directory. Be sure you add a photograph and post your resume at http://www.jurexnurse.com/about-expert-directory.

You're ready. Now begin.

To Negotiate Your PLNC Rate or Not? That Is The Question

Should you negotiate your hourly rate to review medical records? Consider these first: 1. You want the business; 2. You want the business; and 3. You want the business. So, the answer is clearly "Yes".

Now, how much should you reduce your hourly fee? You want the attorney to use your Professional Legal Nurse Consultant (PLNC) services again, so your interactions need to produce a win-win outcome. Start at $150/hour and realize you need to compromise. Does $125/hour sound good? $115? $100?

Caution: Do not go below $100/hour, if you can avoid it, because it becomes the floor, or ceiling, for your next interactions with this attorney. Plus, you want your PLNC services to viewed as valuable.

You Can Provide Lots of Professional Legal Nurse Consultant Services

As a Professional Legal Nurse Consultant (PLNC), you have lots of tools in your tool chest. Here are a few you should consider promoting:

1. Summarize medical records - so that it's easy for the attorney to understand what happened from a medical perspective. If you're services are being used, it's so you can explain the facts to the untrained individual. Keep your summary simple.

2. Interview witnesses - your opinion of potential witnesses can be extremely helpful. You bring to the table a different view. Offer to help by talking with witnesses.

3. Assist in demonstrative evidence - cases become more real with audio, video and props. Help the attorney come up with evidence that demonstrates a point in the case.

The list goes on and on. You are very valuable and remember that.

Should A Nurse Get Malpractice Insurance?

As a practicing nurse, should you have malpractice insurance? In these times, expect that most nurses have it. Especially, if you are an independent contractor or work for a health care pvoder who does not insure individually named nurses. That's not to say you wouldn't be covered under a policy even if you are not named as an individual insured. It's just extra protection; protection you would want in the event you get sued.

There are many companies who provide this type of insurance, the key is getting the most highly rated on ewith the most coverage for your premium. The worst case would be to have paid the premium throughout the years and not have coverage when you need it.

The amount of coverage will vary depending upon the type of policy and the liability risk. Consider occurrence-base policies first. If it's still not affordable, then look at claims-made policies. Either way, if you get sued, you'll be glad you have some coverage if for no other reason than your comfort level.

Review Photographs & Diary Notes When Reviewing Medical Records

In your review of the medical records, be sure you ask to see any photographs depicting the alleged injuries or diary notes of it, as well. Remember the old saying that a picture tells a thousand words?

It's often much easier to understand something that you've seen as well as read.

So, be sure to ask the attorney if there are photos you can review.

Diary notes of potential plaintiffs, family members or friends often shed insight into a case. Whether they are accurate or not should become clear as you read them. Be sure you ask for them. You'd be surprised how many write, or type, notes, emails, blogs, texts or tweets about their experiences. These could all prove helpful to you in your review of the case.

You must ask for these photographs and notes, or you might be given them.

Q & A with Elizabeth Rudolph, President, Jurex Center for Legal Nurse Consulting

I just answered a telephone call from a very nice nurse who inquired about the Professional Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Course that's upcoming in Atlanta on March 26 & 27. Her question is one that others may have.



Q: Hi. I've been a nurse for three years and just became a Nurse Practitioner. Would I be a good fit with being a Professional Legal Nurse Consultant?



A: Yes, you would bring to the table another aspect of nursing. Being a nurse is essential, but you also have still another knowledge base. While additional degrees are not required to be a successful PLNC, it could enhance your abilities. Combining nursing and the law is a beautiful blend and one that is a must in today's lawsuit-prone society.



Thank you for this question and keep your questions flowing.