Welcome to this month’s edition of The Nontraditional Nurse!
Today, we are talking all about Legal Nurse Consulting.
The Nontraditional Nurse spotlight
Amanda Bamba RNC-OB, NCSN
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You have to come to the records with curiosity—not assuming one side is right or wrong, but letting the medical record tell the story.
— Amanda Bamba
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This month, we’re spotlighting Amanda Bamba, a seasoned Labor & Delivery nurse with extensive clinical experience who returned to the bedside after a short break to work in school nursing. She now balances her role as a clinically active L&D nurse with her work as a Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC).
In our interview, Amanda breaks down what legal nurse consulting is, the difference between LNCs and expert witnesses, how critical thinking from bedside nursing carries over—and why curiosity is essential in both nursing and legal work.
Transcript available here
Key Takeaways
Legal nurse consulting isn’t one-size-fits-all.
LNCs can work full-time, part-time, as expert witnesses, or completely behind the scenes. Amanda highlights how some LNCs build their own businesses while others subcontract or work directly for attorneys.
Critical thinking is your superpower.
The most valuable skill Amanda brought from the bedside was the ability to assess complex situations, ask the right questions, and think critically about what may not be immediately visible—skills that translate directly to record review.
Flexibility and independence are major perks.
As your own boss, you decide how much work to take on. While it can take time to build a network, many LNCs find the role offers unmatched work-life balance and professional satisfaction.
The legal nurse community is supportive—and growing.
Amanda credits much of her success to the support of fellow LNCs, especially those she connected with through LinkedIn, national forums, and conferences like AALNC. Mentorship and community matter.
Curiosity leads the way.
Amanda stresses the importance of reviewing records without bias. You’re not judging the outcome—you’re investigating the care provided and asking: did it follow best practices?
Career Deep Dive
Legal Nurse Consulting
LNCs bridge the gap between healthcare and the legal system. They use their clinical expertise to:
- Review medical records and timelines for attorneys
- Provide merit reviews to assess whether malpractice cases have a strong foundation
- Support attorneys behind the scenes or act as expert witnesses in court
- Translate complex medical information into understandable legal language
Some LNCs are clinical experts who testify in court; others (like Amanda) specialize in behind-the-scenes casework. Both paths play a critical role in legal processes.
✔️ Perks
Flexibility – You can work part-time, full-time, or on a project basis.
Autonomy – Build your own business and decide how much (or how little) to take on.
Diverse Work Options – Choose between behind-the-scenes work or expert witness testimony.
Professional Growth – You’ll gain new knowledge about the legal system and how it intersects with healthcare.
Supportive Community – Amanda found LNCs to be generous and eager to help, especially when you show curiosity and initiative.
⚠️ Challenges
Marketing Yourself – Building relationships with attorneys and other LNCs takes time and persistence.
Steep Learning Curve – Understanding legal processes and learning how to structure legal documentation can feel intimidating at first.
Unpredictable Workload – Especially early on, case volume can vary and income may be inconsistent.
Requires Self-Discipline – As a contractor or business owner, you’re managing your time and your brand.
💰 Salary Considerations:
Salary Insights
If you’re curious about the earning potential of legal nurse consulting, here’s a look at the current national landscape. Keep in mind that salary can vary significantly in this role based on hours, experience, marketing, and more.
National Averages
- Average Salary: ~$87,000–$90,000 annually
- Hourly Rate: ~$42–$50/hour
- Typical Salary Range: $68,000 to $117,500, depending on experience, caseload, and setting
Impact of Work Setting
- Law Firm Employment: Some LNCs working directly for law firms earn salaries up to $118,000 per year.
- Independent Consultants: Freelance LNCs often charge $100–$150/hour for case reviews and consulting work.
- Expert Witness Roles: For those offering expert witness services, rates can rise to $200–$500/hour for record review, depositions and testimony.
Influence of Education and Certification
- BSN Degree: Often correlates with salaries around $92,000.
- MSN Degree: Average salaries can climb to $124,000.
- DNP Degree: Experienced DNP-prepared LNCs may command $150,000–$225,000 or more annually.
Additionally, obtaining the Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (LNCC) credential can enhance your credibility initially because you will start with more training and may help when marketing your services to attorneys and law firms.
⏳ Schedule & Work-Life Balance:
Legal nurse consulting offers some of the most flexible scheduling of any nursing role because you can own your own business. Here’s what it can look like:
- Amanda started with subcontracting work, which allowed her to ease into the role and learn from experienced LNCs.
- You can say yes or no to each case, depending on your availability.
- If you’re an expert witness, you may need to maintain bedside hours—but LNCs doing behind-the-scenes work do not need to be clinically active.
- Many LNCs structure their weeks around other responsibilities—working nights, weekends, or in focused bursts between family and personal commitments.
- Amanda’s take: “It can be as much or as little as you want.”
How to get started?
1. Visit the AALNC (American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants)
The AALNC is the go-to professional organization for legal nurse consultants. Their website offers:
- Free resources and reading material
- Online courses and webinars
- A comprehensive textbook used in many training programs
- Details about certification (which is optional, but a great way to build credibility)
2. Understand how you learn best.
Do you prefer:
- A structured online course with guided instruction?
- Learning through mentorship or subcontracting under a more experienced LNC?
- Diving into self-study using AALNC resources, books, and LinkedIn conversations?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Amanda emphasized that you don’t need a formal certification to get started—what matters most is your nursing knowledge, critical thinking, and willingness to learn.
3. Join the conversation on LinkedIn.
Amanda found an incredibly supportive LNC community on LinkedIn. Start by:
- Following established LNCs
- Reading their posts and engaging with comments
- Asking thoughtful questions after doing some initial research
- Being open, professional, and curious
This is a great way to find mentors, subcontracting opportunities, and real-world insight into what the job looks like day to day.
Want to check out what Amanda is doing with her personal brand? Take a peek at her Legal Nurse Consulting Website here!
Your laughter injection.
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Why didn’t one nurse find the other nurse’s joke funny?
She had an irony deficiency.
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