expanding your LNC practice in criminal case consultation Melissa Becker RN, CFN Certified Forensic Nurse Legal Nurse Consultant

Introduction Legal Nurse Consultant Forensic Nurse Correctional Nurse Death Investigator Endoscopy PACU Invasive Radiology Cath Lab Renal RN Clinician Cardiac RN Clinician IV Home Care Heart Failure Home Care ER Nurse ICU Nurse EMT Paramedic

Expertise I help nurses identify & market the specific areas of their clinical experience that can be applied to criminal case consulting

Challenges Identifying your areas of expertise Showcasing your expertise Getting your foot in the door Capturing your audiences attention Identifying specifically what you can do

My Struggle Took the course Bought the dream Knocked on the doors Got my first case; now what Wait, wait, wait

My Solution “I” vs YOU” Thinking Diversification of my LNC services Broadening types of LNC cases Education as a means to marketing

Results “Go to Person” Overall expert Do anything they need Multidimensional Broad based work flow CRIMINAL CASE CONSULTING

Old World/New World Myths and Trends Reality The more $ the better the answer Medical experts know it all Medical experts know how to review a criminal case Medical experts will tell me how to address the issues in my case Reality Most medical experts are experts at treating patients not analyzing a criminal case

The Solution Framework Identify your knowledge base What types of cases does this apply to How do you apply this to a criminal case How do you get this through to the attorney Do you need additional training

Identifying your area of expertise Just as nursing has different areas of focus so do criminal cases Murder Assault Domestic Violence Child Abuse Child Protection Stalking Narcotic Possession/Abuse/Fraud

Emergency Nurses Expertise Types of cases All types Functions/Role Educate on anatomy Identify normal vs abnormal physical findings Evaluate injuries/patterns of injury Review statements/interviews Educate on medical issues Is level of charge consistent with injuries involved

Critical Care Nurses Expertise Types of Cases All types Functions/Role Educate on anatomy Identify normal vs abnormal physical findings Evaluate injuries/patterns of injury Review statements/interviews Educate on medical issues Is level of charge consistent with injuries involved

Pediatric/Public Health Nurses Types of cases Child Abuse CHIPS petition (child in need of protective services) Domestic Violence Homicide/Assault/Battery Functions/Role Education on Anatomy Identify normal vs abnormal physical findings Educate on normal child developmental levels Evaluate prior medical history Evaluate child interviews/statements

OB/GYN Nurses Types of Cases Functions/Role Adult sexual assault cases Adult physical assault Domestic Violence Functions/Role Educate on anatomy Identify normal vs abnormal physical findings Evaluate injuries/patterns of injury Evaluate medical records/OB records in pregnant cases

Long Term Care/Rehab /Home Care Types of Cases Elder Abuse/Neglect Financial Abuse Psychological Abuse Medication Diversion Cases that have victims with paralysis Functions/Role Educate on baseline functional status Identify normal vs abnormal physical findings Evaluate injuries/patterns of injury Is level of charge consistent with injuries involved Evaluate statements/interviews Evaluate progression of medical condition Address complications common in paralysis cases

Psychiatric Nurses Types of Cases Functions/Role Chemical Dependency issues Mental Health issues Prescription Fraud/Abuse Drug Addiction/Child Welfare Murder/Assault Functions/Role Give opinion on mental capacity Review medical/chem dep/psychiatric records Evaluate mental health report/evaluation Discuss meds and side effects Discuss drug/alcohol levels and effects

General Nurses Types of Cases Functions/Role Varies depending on speciality/training/education Functions/Role Educate on anatomy Identify normal vs abnormal physical findings Evaluate injuries/patterns of injury Is level of charge consistent with injuries involved

All Nurses Understand basic medical conditions Abrasions Contusions Lacerations Fractures Burns

Identify Your Target Audience Criminal Justice Non Criminal Justice/Public Attorney Paralegal Investigator Dispositional Advisor Probation Officer Child Protection Worker Adult Protection Worker Nurses Physicians Foster Care Providers Teachers Daycare Providers Students/Teenagers Lay Public

How to make contact There are a number of ways to make contact Mail Letter Card Postcard Package Telephone Email In Person

Making Contact Sell the benefits of your presentation Talk about “You” not “I” Have a short, brief, targeted introduction

Get Yourself Known Speaking for organizations Write a press release/submit to your local newspaper Nursing CEU’s Programs or presentation at a school/college Blog Start a group Become a resource person

Get Yourself Known Contact local nursing organizations, offer to speak or provide continuing education related to forensic topics

Establish your expertise Education Certification Work Experience Trainings Educational Presentation

Seek out additional training Forensic Nurse Courses Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Courses Death Investigation Sexual Assault Child Abuse Domestic Violence Legal

First Steps Identify your area of expertise Current Future What types of cases can this area focus on What specific types of injuries could be involved Additional education/training Purchase the crime power point presentations