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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF THE BAY AREA CHAPTER OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL NURSE CONSULTANTS |
What does a BACNC membership provide?
BACNC Website: Our website, bacnc.org , is available to the public for general information on legal nurse consulting (LNC) services, educational meetings and informational contacts. Members enjoy access to our online membership directory, quarterly newsletter and chapter LNC Listserv, which provides chapter notices, educational events outside of the chapter and potential employment opportunities.
Membership Directory: Each member receives a professional listing in the chapter's online membership directory, which is automatically updated when a member enters or updates their profile. Access to the directory is through the “members only” section of the website, and lists the current information for each LNC chapter member, which is provided to each member at no cost.
The Docket: A subscription to the chapter newsletter, which is published quarterly, is posted in the “members only” section of the website. The Docket offers members pertinent LNC information, member highlights, professional announcements, articles and opportunities to be published.
Educational Meetings: BACNC offers educational presentations five times annually to the general membership, attorneys and other interested parties. The meetings are held the second Tuesday of January, March, May, September and November. Members receive a reduced registration fee for these events, in addition to CEUs and/or MCLEs. Members can access meeting information and registration forms by going to the “meeting information” link of the website and are reminded by e-mail of the upcoming events.
1-877-LGLNRSE (545-6773): Our toll free number is available to the membership for any questions or assistance related to BACNC or Legal Nurse Consulting in general. Leave a message and your call will be returned within 72 hours.
Member Discounts: Members receive a discount to all BACNC meeting/dinners. Reciprocal courtesy with The Greater Sacramento Area Chapter of Legal Nurse Consultants (GSAC) allows BACNC members to attend GSAC's meeting/dinners at their membership's discounted rate (www.gsac-aalnc.org). Periodically, BACNC receives discounts for LNC-related products and services, which are passed on to its members. The membership is notified of such discounts and any associated restrictions.
What opportunities does a member have
to participate within the chapter?
Chapter Board Meetings: The Board meetings
are held five times a year and are open to
BACNC members. Attendance is not required
but it does expose members to the current
issues of the chapter and its committees.
Chapter Committees: Several committees exist to handle the needs of the chapter and its members. These include the Education Committee, Public Relations Committee, Membership Committee and the Nominating Committee. The PR committee is further divided into the Speakers' Panel and the Website Committee.
Chapter Board of Directors: With the exception of the President-elect position, Board members are elected annually. Positions include Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Directors-at-Large. Elected positions require a higher level of volunteer commitment.
What are the benefits to members who actively participate in the chapter?
Networking: Most chapter events allow time to meet with other members or guests. This provides time to share experiences with other members and have contact with potential clients.
BACNC Scholarship for Educational Meetings: Members who volunteer their time to coordinate a General Education Meeting, under the Educational Committee's guidelines are eligible to have their fee paid for that particular meeting.
BACNC Tuition Scholarship for the National AALNC Conference: Members who meet the eligibility criteria and submit an application may be selected to have their tuition to the annual National AALNC Conference paid. Eligibility is based on active participation on the BACNC Board, committee work, and attendance at the BACNC meetings.
Does BACNC provide assistance with
individual marketing strategies?
Referral Directory: Members may place their
name, contact information, and legal/nursing
experience in this directory for an additional
fee. The directory is available via the chapter
website to attorneys and others seeking LNC
assistance.
Board Members: The Board Members are available to support the membership with marketing assistance and their e-mails can be found on the Contact Board page.
How does BACNC provide information about LNCs to the medical-legal community?
Speakers' Panel: As part of the chapter's public relations committee, the Speakers' Panel provides information about legal nurse consulting and medical-legal issues to the legal community.
Chapter Advertising: Currently, BACNC advertises general educational meetings in the Contra Costa Lawyer, a monthly publication of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. BACNC also sustains a bi-annual half page ad in the California Directory of Lawyers, which is educational and informative to the legal community. This ad notes the role of the LNC and advises them on how to contact any of the five California AALNC chapters.
How can the medical-legal community access BACNC members for employment opportunities?
Referral Directory: Members may choose to have their contact information and legal/nursing information included in the on-line Referral Directory. This directory is made available to parties seeking Legal Nurse Consultants via the chapter website.
1-877-LGLNRSE (545-6773: Members of the medical-legal community who are seeking LNCs available to consult on casework utilize this number. The names of BACNC members with credentials sought are made available to the callers.
Employment Coordinator: The Board Home Page identifies the current Employment Coordinator who forwards employment opportunities to the membership and follows up with the client to ensure their needs have been met.
What other ways do Legal Nurse Consultants
find work?
Marketing/Networking: Consultants
have their own individual marketing method
and strategy. Word of mouth referrals are
the most common. Others become members of
their local Bar Association or attend luncheons
and continuing education meetings. Some consultants
send out mailers, run ads in their local
papers, or do cold calling to attorneys found
in the yellow pages. Most LNCs try a number
of different tactics to attract clients.
Who offers training for Legal Nurse
Consultant study programs?
Formal Training: While formal training
in legal nurse consulting is not required
to practice, some nurses benefit from a structured
introduction to this professional specialty.
AALNC/BACNC believes that the individual
nurse is best able to determine the program
that meets his/her needs and goals. Please
see the AALNC website's FAQs for further
information on educational instruction.
While BACNC does not recommend or endorse particular programs, the following are a few of the programs available, and are the courses most commonly used by our membership:
College Courses:
California State University, Hayward
Legal Nurse Consulting Program
American Bar Association approved Certificate
Program
www.extension.csuhayward.edu
(Click
on the “Legal” link on the right}
Home Courses:
AALNC Bookstore
Home Study Books
www.aalnc.org
Karen Wetthers, RN
Home Study Program
www.medicallegalresources.com
Vickie Milazzo Institute
National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse
Consultants
www.legalnurse.com
How
much are LNCs paid?
LNCs who work as
independent consultants are paid on an hourly
basis, and LNCs who work in law firms, insurance
companies and other institutions are paid
a salary. Compensation varies with scope
of responsibility, level of experience and
geographic area, among other factors.
Based on AALNC's 1998 nationwide membership survey the mode for general consulting hourly fees was $75.00, and testifying expert $150.00. An updated survey is forthcoming.
How to join the BACNC?
Join AALNC First: Membership in the
AALNC is required before joining the BACNC.
The application forms and brochures for joining
AALNC can be found on their website at www.aalnc.org
Join
BACNC Next: You will find the BACNC application
at the link on the bottom of the BACNC website's “membership benefits” page.
If further information is needed, please feel free
to call our chapter phone number toll free at 877-545-6773
(LGL-NRSE).
How
do I join this local association?
Membership in the AALNC is required before joining the BACNC. The application
forms and brochures for joining both professional organizations are available
through the BACNC Corresponding Secretary.
If further information is needed, please feel free to call our chapter
phone number toll free at 877-545-6773 (LGL-NRSE).