How the AALNC Annual Forum Jumpstarted My Career
By Robin Stacy, DNP
Hello! My name is Robin Stacy, DNP, and I’m a legal nurse consultant (LNC) from Rochester, New York. While I’m new to the LNC profession, I have been in the nursing field for 35 years, 23 of which have been as a nurse practitioner in multiple medical areas including orthopedics, urgent care, emergency medicine, occupational medicine and nursing education. I have also worked in the operating and emergency rooms.
In October 2022, I decided to learn about legal nurse consulting. As I surfed the web, I found the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC)’s website. I proceeded to read the description of what an LNC is and what AALNC has to offer and realized it is the gold standard for LNC resources and education.
Soon after, I joined the association and enrolled in their professional course. After reading about the multiple learning opportunities AALNC offered, I was inspired to attend the AALNC Forum 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as the AALNC Pre-Forum track: “The Dos and Don’ts of Legal Nurse Written Reports.”
The track discussed the basics of chronologies, memos and narratives as well as alternative reports. For me though, the most beneficial part was the breakout session with an LNC advisor/coach to discuss a sample report I completed beforehand. This was a fantastic learning opportunity for me, especially being a new LNC.
The Annual Forum itself was enlightening and did not disappoint in the least. There were so many opportunities to surround myself with like-minded professionals, learn and network.
All of the forum sessions were excellent and offered valuable information for new and established LNCs. I also liked that there were many networking events to attend, including a reception on the first night in which a game of networking bingo was played, and meet ups at restaurants throughout the city on the second night, which allowed new and experienced LNCs to engage with one another, network and forge professional bonds outside of the hotel.
After spending four days at the Annual Forum, I left Kentucky energized and excited to start a new career within my nursing profession. I met many spectacular people willing to share their stories and answer my questions. Hands down, this was the most informative and energizing conference I have ever attended.
Fast forward to present day, I have yet to secure my first attorney client but I continue to network and grow in my LNC knowledge. I have joined the Orlando chapter of AALNC, attended two mentoring sessions, utilize the TradeWing communities, have been able to make connections within the special interest groups (SIGs) and in September, I will be attending the AALNC Jumpstart Virtual Workshop. These resources are excellent opportunities outside of the Annual Forum to meet other LNCs, ask questions and learn from the discussion posts.
I encourage anyone considering a career as an LNC to join AALNC, network, ask questions, attend industry events and not be afraid to be a novice again.