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I Accomplished My One-Year Goal in One Day of Exhibitingby Tina J. Little, RN, BS, MBA, CLNC
During my first year as a Certified Legal Nurse ConsultantCM, I wanted at least five cases. I wrote that down in my marketing plan. Then I read Vickie’s book, Flash 55 Promotions: 55 FREE Ways to Promote Your CLNC® Business, from cover to cover. Using her pointers, I set up my website, created my promotional package and mailed out my packets. I discovered that a local trial lawyers' association was having a conference. I wrote to ask if I could exhibit. That was scary, but I put myself out there, hearing Vickie’s voice again, telling me that a CLNC® consultant is an attorney’s "secret weapon." At the lawyers’ conference, I approached attorneys and talked about my specialty, trauma. I’m an ER nurse, plus I have 27 years as a paramedic. That combination of experience gives me a unique insight. As it turned out, I met an attorney who had come to the conference looking specifically for a CLNC® consultant with a background in emergency medical services and trauma. I left the conference with six cases. My first case was exciting because it called on all my trauma background. A man developed chest pains at a ball game. The EMS team walked him down two flights of steps, and when he got to the bottom, he went into cardiac arrest. Although I started my CLNC® business hoping I could work on the defense side, advocating for nurses and other healthcare practitioners, I understand that mistakes are sometimes made. That was the situation here. The patient died due to overexertion of the heart. Using my nursing and paramedic background along with my CLNC® training, I helped the attorney build his case. Becoming a CLNC® Consultant Changed My World Being a CLNC® consultant has changed my emotional, mental, physical and spiritual world. I care more about who I am, and every day I believe more in what I can do for my attorney-clients and their clients. I feel I have so much to give to this profession. And I’m doing what I love. I set my own schedule. Being my own boss is incredibly affirming. As nurses, we take what’s available. As a CLNC® consultant, I control which cases I choose to work on and who I choose to work for. My CLNC® income in the six months since I became certified has been amazing. One attorney did tell me I charge too much. I said, “I hope you find somebody to help you, but she won’t be as worthy as I am.” He chuckled. About two weeks later, he called back and asked if I would work on his case – for my usual fee of course. Sometimes I’m still scared, but I keep putting myself out there, taking risks and telling myself I can do this. I help attorneys win cases. And Vickie was right – I’m their secret weapon. Tina J. Little, RN, BS, MBA, CLNC is the owner of TJ Little & Associates in Illinois. Her experience includes prehospital, emergency room and administrative nursing. In addition to working as a consulting expert on all types of medical-related cases, she testifies as an expert witness in emergency cases. |
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