About
The American Association of Legal Nurse Practitioners, or NCAA as it is commonly called, is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to ensuring that the standards of the legal nurse consulting profession are kept high and that all of its members are represented and protected adequately at all times throughout their profession and membership.
The following is the mission statement of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants:
“The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants promotes the professional advancement of registered nurses consulting within the legal arena by providing a forum for education, research and exchange of information”.
Membership
Why You Should Become A Member
There are a great number of different nursing organizations and associations out there to which you could belong as a nurse depending on your qualifications and standing. One real question that many legal nurse consultants ask is whether or not it is necessary to join the AALNC. The main reason to join an association that is specifically geared towards your particular area of specialty is that you will be in a position to keep your knowledge and skills up to date. In addition to this, it is a sure sign to potential employers that you are a dedicated professional who is invested in your role as a legal nurse consultant. The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants goes out of its way to provide as many opportunities for its members as possible.
The AALNC cites the following goals for membership:
- “Provide members with opportunities and experiences to further their professional development as legal nurse consultants.
- Increase the legal and the medical communities’ awareness of the nursing specialty of legal nurse consulting.
- Promote excellence within the nursing specialty of legal nurse consulting.
- Facilitate an exchange of information and establish a communication network for mutual support and fellowship among members”.
Benefits Of Membership
There are a great many benefits involved in being a member of AALNC. The following list of benefits serves as a testimony to the fact that the association is skilled at meeting its goals:
- Networking
- Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting
- Members Only Online Resources
- Educational Advancement
- LNCC Certification
- LNC Locator
- Professional Liability Insurance
- VerdictSearch
As a legal nurse consultant a large part of your success lies in your ability to make the right contacts and broaden your clientele base as far as possible. This can be achieved most effectively by networking with other legal nurse consultants and professionals affiliated with the industry. A large number of networking opportunities are offered to members of the AALNC. In addition to having close contact with other s in your field you will also have access to the invaluable publication Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting. This is full of useful information that not only serves a practical purpose in your day to day functioning, but which also prepares you in terms of continuing education units.
Members of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants also have the ability to update their profiles on the website in order to make themselves substantially more visible and marketable. There are, in fact, a large number of online resources that are only available to members of the AALNC which non-members will be unable to access.
The AALNC has an Educational and Networking Forum through which you can do the following:
- Enhance your network of professional contacts
- Learn about recent advances and issues in your specialty
- Gain new perspectives that can strengthen your practice
In addition, there are a number of resources and publications that you can receive significant discounts on as a member. You will also be able to attend the conferences hosted by the organization at a far reduced rate as compared to non-members.
As a legal nurse consultant you may be interested in becoming Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC). This is highly recommended as it proves that you are:
- Knowledgeable about the nursing specialty of legal nurse consulting
- Experienced in the nursing specialty of legal nurse consulting
- Committed to the nursing specialty of legal nurse consulting
In addition, there are a number of popular employers that are unlikely to hire if you have not taken the time to become certified, making it almost essential. Through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants you will receive a substantial discount on LNCC certification exams, offered two times per year.
The LNC Locater is a service that you can use to make your presence known to attorneys in need of a legal nurse consultant. Through this website your basic information, including your location and level of expertise, is listed, allowing attorneys to simply look through the database and select a legal nurse consultant that meets their requirements. In short, it is one of the best ways to stay in work.
AALNC members have access to Professional Liability Insurance through Nurses Service Organization, another service available only to members of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants.
Last but not least members are eligible to receive up to 30% off on all VerdictSearch publications, another excellent resource.
Types Of Membership And Fees
These are the membership types that the association offers:
- Active: $160.00
- Associate: $160.00
- Sustaining: $230.00
- Guest: $0.00
Active members are currently registered within the health care field as consultants on legal issues and are consequently allowed to vote, hold office, serve on committees, and partake of all other benefits of membership. This is the most intensive level of membership. Associate members are registered nurses with active licensure in the United States, or that are recognized by the International Council of Nurses as professional nurses who have an interest in medical and legal issues. Individuals and groups with an interest in the goals and mission of the association can achieve sustaining membership status for a fee of $230. Guests are not technically members and therefore do not pay fees, but they are able to purchase items from the association’s online store. Beyond that they have no rights or benefits within the organization. Contacting the association directly and providing them with an account of your situation within the industry will allow them to assist you in deciding which type of membership is best for you in your current position. Fees are paid on an annual basis.
Chapters
The following is a list of AALNC Chapter:
Alabama
Greater Birmingham Chapter
Email: condonmlc@charter.net
Alternate Email: kcondon1949@charter.net
Arizona
Phoenix Chapter
Email: lmatlick@fclaw.com
Website: http://aalncphoenix.org
California
Bay Area of Northern California Chapter
Email: kristenjones@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.bacnc.org
Greater Sacramento Chapter
Email: khendersonlnc@gmail.com
Alternate Email: ttiftrn@comcast.net
Website: www.gsac-aalnc.org
San Diego Chapter
Email: cnlcpnurse@gmail.com
Colorado
Denver Colorado Chapter
Email: nurseexperts@coaalnc.com
Alternate Email: bsilir@earthlink.net
Website: Coaalnc.com
Connecticut
Connecticut Chapter
Email: dickersondlna@gmail.com
Website: www.ctaalnc.com
Delaware
Delaware Chapter
Email: johnandmarilyn79@juno.com
Website: http://www.delawarechapteraalnc.org
Florida
Greater Jacksonville Chapter
Email: MWSkygirl99@aol.com
Alternate Email: Mwilliams@sdlitigation.com
Greater Orlando Chapter
Email: LegalNurseExperts@cfl.rr.com
Alternate Email Contact: info@orlandoaalnc.org
Website: www.orlandoaalnc.org
Greater Tampa Bay Chapter
Email: gwheeler309@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.tbaalnc.org/
Georgia
Atlanta Chapter
Alternate Email: ama@caseconsultant.com
Website: www.atlantaaalnc.org
Greater Augusta Georgia Chapter
Email: Liz@BuddenhagenLNC.com
Alternate Email: Lori@ConciergeServicesofAugusta.com
Website: http://legal-nurse-consultants-augusta.com/
Illinois
Greater Chicago Chapter
Email: dinamorgan@comcast.net
Website: www.aalncchicago.org
Indiana
Greater Indianapolis Chapter
Email: l_suiter@comcast.net
Alternate Email: info@indyaalnc.org
Website: http://www.indyaalnc.org
Maryland
Greater Baltimore Chapter
Email: chalkowicz@gmail.com
Website: http://www.lnc-balt.org
Massachusetts
Southern New England Chapter
Email: brownLNC@comcast.net
Alternate Email: Cabrown@jordanhospital.org
Website: http://www.BrownCLNC.com
Minnesota
Minneapolis Chapter
Email: Pastrom@rkmc.com
Website: http://minneapolischapterofaalnc.com/
New Jersey
Morristown Chapter
Email: Katscan1067@netscape.net
North Carolina
Eastern North Carolina Chapter
Email: robinvanhoy@gmail.com
Website: www.enc-aalnc.org
Ohio
Cleveland/NEO Chapter
Email: MKennedy@Kennedymedlegal.com
Alternate Email: zfoose@roadrunner.com
Oregon
Portland/Valley Chapter
Email: Consultforkids@aol.com
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Chapter
Email: phillyaalnc@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.phillyaalnc.com
Pittsburgh Chapter
Email: kesrerab@aol.com
Alternate Email: pattyc4303@aol.com
Website: aalncpittsburgh.org
South Carolina
Columbia South Carolina Chapter
Email: melissagelineau.rn@gmail.com
Alternate Email: statlitigation@bellsouth.net
Virginia
Central Virginia Chapter
Email: cottergerri@yahoo.com
Washington
Puget Sound Chapter
Email: mailto:mbfcjoneill@comcast.net
Website: www.seattleaalnc.org
West Virginia
West Virginia Upper Ohio Valley Chapter
Email: linwtr@aol.com
Alternate Email: lwiater@dmcpc.com
Website: www.wvbarassociation.org/oln
Southern West Virginia Chapter
Email: adouglas@fsblaw.com
Website: http://www.wvbarassociation.org/lnc/
As you can see, there is a long list of chapters for you to choose form if you are considering membership with this organization. Membership with a local chapter allows you to be active in affecting changes at a very personal level and in a way where the impact will be immediately apparent to you personally.
The many benefits of belonging to such an association are obvious. All nursing specialties have their organizations and societies, but few need such structures more than legal nurse consultants. Because of the fact that laws are forever being revised and because new laws are often passed that may affect the work you do, it is important to keep up to date with all advancements in the industry. The best way in which to achieve this is through membership with an organization dedicated to ensuring that you are not left behind.
For more information about the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, please use the information listed below:
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
401 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611-4267
Phone: 877/402-2562
Fax: 312/673-6655
E-mail: info@aalnc.org
www.aalnc.org
