A Day In The Life Of A Nurse Attorney

"Nurse attorney" sounds like an oxymoron, but it's actually an incredibly rewarding career path. As the name suggests, a nurse attorney is a healthcare professional with additional training in the law, enabling them to deal with legal issues related to patient care. Because of their dual expertise, nurse attorneys not only provide in-house legal advice but also represent a hospital or healthcare provider in litigation. Here, we will take a holistic look at what nurse attorneys do in their day-to-day life:

Medical Malpractice Representation

Nurse attorneys represent healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases. This may involve defending against a claim, negotiating a resolution to the claim, or handling litigation for their clients. Since medical malpractice cases are highly complex, nurse attorneys do have a deep understanding of civil procedure, evidence and trial law, which is necessary for providing the best possible representation.

Medical Disciplinary Hearing

Nurse attorneys may also handle disciplinary proceedings for their clients. If you are summoned for a medical board hearing, then you should seek the help of a nursing attorney. These attorneys do have relevant experience, including being familiar with the applicable administrative law, regulations, and standards of conduct. Regardless of your case, they will stage strong evidence to ensure your case reaches a favorable solution.

Managing Healthcare Disputes

The other duty nursing attorneys do in their daily lives is to handle healthcare-related disputes. Therefore, whether you are subjected to difficult or stressful work environments or experiencing understaffing in the healthcare industry, these attorneys will help you get justice. However, it's important to note the different specialization that comes with the nursing attorney. For example, if you need assistance in resolving your nurse license issues, a nurse license defense attorney will best serve your needs.

Assists in Patient Advocacy

Patient advocacy is another duty nurse attorneys do in their daily lives. This is a wide area and may involve providing legal assistance to healthcare consumers, assessing and filing claims, providing information, public participation, and patient education. Also, it may involve highlighting the benefits of medical treatments using communication methods that are accessible to patients.

Aids in Clinical Excellence

Nurse attorneys are well-versed in the best practices of medicine and nursing, which are essential in providing excellent patient care and outcomes. Therefore, they oversee the clinical competency of nurses and physicians. Plus, they ensure that your healthcare operations are streamlined with HIPAA regulations and other applicable laws.

Final Thoughts

All the tasks nurse attorneys perform in their careers are critical and vital to ensure quality patient care. Their goal is to provide excellent healthcare and legal services to patients and medical practitioners alike. If you need legal or medical assistance, a nurse attorney will be the best person to turn to.