This Year I Will Exceed $1,000,000 in Revenue

I have been a registered nurse since 1985, but seven years ago my path began a slow and steady 180-degree turn. I'd been the director of nursing services in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for just under a year, when my dad spotted a classified ad in our local newspaper. A defense law firm was seeking a legal nurse consultant. I learned that this firm was legal counsel for three of the top five long term care corporations in the country. My initial response was, "I don't have that kind of training." My director position included being on call 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Besides this grueling job, I was going through a nasty divorce and had primary custody of my three children, ages 4, 6 and 8, with no child support. To top it off, I found out I needed a hysterectomy for a pre-cancerous condition. I was depressed, sleep-deprived, stressed, short-tempered, financially upside-down and in debt. A financial advisor told me there was no way I could retire, even with Social Security. I felt like I was on a sinking ship.

Three weeks after my dad showed me the ad, I submitted my resume. I figured I had nothing to lose, and it's always good to keep my interviewing skills fresh. My colleagues at the skilled nursing facility saw the same ad and submitted their resumes, too.

My Persistence Landed Me My First Assignment

I knew consistent follow-up was a must, once you have submitted a resume. Over the next three weeks, I had two pleasant conversations with the chief partner's legal secretary, who told me he was in trial and to keep calling, and I left two voice mail messages for him. Finally, he called me.

At the first interview we agreed on my hourly rate, which was more than I was then making, and I left with my first long term care case. Needless to say, my colleagues never got a call and were shocked at my success, especially since they had 15 years' experience on me.

This first case was voluminous and more than 30,000 pages of medical records spanning 20 years. I worked with the chief partner and one of his associates through the entire legal process. My tasks included organizing and reconstructing medical records, analyzing the medical records, defining standards of nursing care, identifying state and federal regulatory deficiencies, identifying appropriate testifying experts, educating the attorney, assisting with trial preparation, and developing and designing demonstrative evidence used in the trial, just to name a few.

This was the most rewarding experience of my whole nursing career. I was intellectually challenged, and there was nothing mundane about the medical-legal process. I was so impacted by this experience I was convinced this was my future and a way to earn enough income to get out of debt. With my parents' support, I attended Vickie's CLNC^® 6-Day Certification Seminar and became a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant^CM.

The day I got home from the seminar, I called the attorney, who had just received the jury verdict: We had won this landmark case. I was ecstatic and he was absolutely thrilled. He couldn't thank me enough for educating and assisting him with my nursing expertise. He said he would refer all his cases to me. I thanked him profusely and informed him of my new CLNC^® status.

CLNC^® Certification Is the Difference in My Full-Time Success

Vickie's CLNC^® Certification Program and Core Curriculum for Legal Nurse Consulting^® expanded my limited understanding of the legal nurse consultant's role. They helped me improve my reports and presentation style, and provided me with the business strategies needed to become an independent business owner.

Vickie is incredibly motivating. She knows how to speak to a nurse's heart. Her endless energy emanates through her words. I, too, have made a commitment to maintain an upbeat and positive attitude in my life and in my business. This attitude encourages my attorney-clients as well. You make a better overall impression by always appearing confident, cheerful and optimistic. This helps keep your clients happy and willing to promote your CLNC^® services. That's another thing I learned from Vickie.

My number one rule for securing repeat business is being open to and listening for the attorney's need in each case I accept. Attorney-specific, case-specific is my motto!

For the next three years, I continued to work as a director of nursing services in another skilled nursing facility and ran my part-time CLNC^® business from home. In addition to performing the same services I started with, I added attending mediation conferences, assisting the attorney in preparing MD and nurse testifying experts, and participating in risk management seminars for long term care corporations.

While still a part-time CLNC^®, I was able to buy a home, eliminate financial dependence on my parents and provide for my three children, including enabling them to participate in sports and many other extracurricular activities they couldn't enjoy previously. When I reached my goal of quitting the SNF and becoming a full-time CLNC^®, I held a wine-and-cheese open house to celebrate the opening of my new office and to share my success with friends and family, and current and potential attorney-clients.

Business keeps rolling in because we deliver a superior work product to our clients. This generates a prompt response from the attorney: Suzanne, this is awesome. We can do big things with this.

Vickie Is My Inspiration as a Successful, Savvy Entrepreneur

I have always had a deep faith in God and commitment to prayer. The Lord has blessed me with the ability to discern what is important in my life and given me the strength to work hard and learn all I can.

I have found a challenging and rewarding lifestyle that will enable me to help my three children through college. During my transition from part time to full time four years ago, my legal nurse consulting revenues were $85,000. The next year, my first as a full-time CLNC^®, I subcontracted with four CLNC^®s, hired my first employee and massively exceeded my goal of grossing $200,000. Two short years later, my business had expanded by adding more office space, two employees and another CLNC^® subcontractor. As a result, my firm doubled its revenues. My business has now grown to eight employees and I anticipate exceeding $1,000,000 in gross revenues this year.

Today I can do the things I only dreamed of doing when I retire. My next big goal is to become the #1 CLNC^® firm in the nation, and I know I can do that, too.

Professionally, I wouldn't be where I am today without becoming a CLNC^®. There's no other program out there like Vickie's. She and the Institute provide all the tools you need to get started. She shows you how to make your CLNC^® practice fun and rewarding, not only financially but in other ways.

Vickie walks the walk. She's an inspiration, not only as a nurse who pioneered a new industry but also as a keen-minded, successful businesswoman who openly shares her secrets. Vickie's wisdom and her generosity with that wisdom have made me stronger, more passionate and driven to succeed for my family and my personal growth.

Vickie lives her motto, "Revolutionizing Nursing Careers One RN at a Time." I'm a categorical example of one of those careers Vickie revolutionized. Rebounding from divorce, depression and financial inadequacy was tough, but I have grown tremendously as a person. Today I love my life. I love my career. I spend time with my children. I consistently bring in a comfortable six-figure income and it just keeps getting better.

Thank you, Vickie, for giving me the motivation and education to become a successful CLNC^®.

 Tell a Friend About This Site

"I networked just like Vickie taught us, and in one weekend I got one case and an introduction that will put me in touch with other potential attorney-clients." "Vickie's program taught me how to succeed in a business that has already started to provide an exceptional living for me and my family."