HomeMy WebLinkAboutLGN-105BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DIVISION OF BUSINESS, ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL STUDIES
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Course Title: LGN-105 Principles of Legal Nurse Consulting
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Examines the history and evolution of nurse consulting and
legal theories. The role of the nurse paralegal is explored as it relates to the review and
analysis of medical records, litigation process, trial and witness preparation, standards of
care, risk management insurance issues, and alternative forms of dispute resolution.
Business principles for nurse paralegals are also covered.
An examination of the history and evolution of the legal nurse consultant and legal
theories. Nurse paralegal roles are explores in the areas of review and analysis of
medical records; nurse paralegal roles in the litigation process including trial and witness
preparation including expert witnesses; standards of care; risk management insurance
issues; and alternative disputes resolution and mediation. Business principles for nurse
paralegals are also covered.
PREREQUISITES: NONE
CREDITS: 3
HOURS; 3
REQUIRED TEXTS: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Weishapple, West
Publishing, 2001 (or most recent edition)
Legal Nurse Consulting Principles and Practice, Patricia
W. Iyer., et al, American Association of Legal Nurse
Consultants, 2003 (or most recent edition)
SUPPLEMENTAL
MATERIALS: To be provided by professor during the semester as
handouts on an as needed basis.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this course are to :
1. Provide the history and evolution of the legal nurse
consultant. Identify and define the principles of litigation and the
roles of the nurse paralegal in the legal system.
Measure: Students will take exams and submit projects and
homework assignments during the course. These projects will
relate to analysis of the legal nurse consultant and the relationship
of the legal nurse consultant to our court system and applications
to the legal-medical case.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive an average
grade of “70” or better on the projects, exams and homework
assignments. Projects will be reviewed with students and concepts
reinforced.
2. Demonstrate how to review, analyze and summarize
medical records and prepare for communication to the legal
professional and for use of the medical data in a legal context.
Measure: Students will submit projects, homework assignments
and exams during the course which will require the review,
analysis and interpretation of medical records within the context of
our legal system. Projects will include preparation of opinions and
memoranda, use of forms and appropriate practice aides. Students
will be required to utilize their research and writing skills.
Emphasis will also be placed on legal medical ethical concerns.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive an average
grade of “70” or better on these examinations and projects.
Projects and exams will be reviewed with students and concepts
reinforced. Homework assignments will be required specifically
addressing this course objective.
3. Explain the principles of trial preparation and procedures as a
legal nurse including the analysis of documentary evidence and
testimony.
Measure: Students will submit projects during intervals during the
course which will discuss preparing the medical-legal case for trial.
Analysis will include review of the trial process, testimony,
reports, opinions, memoranda and their relationship to the legal
trial. Consideration will given to the plaintiff and defendant
perspective. Concepts will consider ethical issues.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive an average
grade of “70” or better on these homework assignments, exams
and projects. Projects, exams and homework assignments will be
reviewed with students and concepts reinforced.
4. Describe the roles of the nurse paralegal as an expert
witness, risk management consultant and managed care
professional.
Measure: Students will take exams and submit projects and
homework assignments which will have components requiring the
student to explore and consider different fields relating to the
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practice of the legal nurse consultant. Case studies will also
consider this objective from the standpoint of opportunity and
professional development.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive an average
grade of “70” or better on the exams and projects. Projects, exams
and homework assignments will be reviewed with students and
concepts reinforced.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Class 1 (3 hours)
Building the bridge between medical and legal; history of the profession, duties,
qualifications, training, future trends, certification
Opportunities: independent consulting, insurance, education, law firms, government,
business and industry
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 1 and 2
Class 2 (3 hours)
Planning for a career in law, changing career paths, self-assessment, career goals and
planning, compensations and benefits
Crossing the bridge to employment, marketing, finding potential employers, initial
contract, resumes and CV’s, interviews and follow up.
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 3 and 4
Class 3 (3 hours)
Crossing the bridge to independent practice, entrepreneurial spirit, products and services,
types of business organizations, legal considerations, mission, goal strategic plans, the
business plan, financing as small business, marketing and independent legal nurse
consulting business, client relations,
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 5 and 6
Class 4 (3 hours)
Foundation of the American Legal System, State and Federal Legal Systems, Resolution
of Legal Disputes, litigation.
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Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 7 and 8
Note: Commence Semester Project
Class 5 (3 hours)
Civil, Criminal and Administrative resolution, alternative dispute resolution, legal nurse
consultant profile. Case study
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 9 and 10
Class 6 (3 hours)
Legal Analysis – legal reasoning, facts, law and evaluating the legal problem. Legal
authority, types, sources, statutes, administrative regulations, case law.
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 11 and 12
Class 7 (3 hours)
Persuasive application of Authority, legal reasoning, synthesizing facts and law, role of
the legal nurse consultant. Brief writing.
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 13 and 14
Class 8 (3 hours)
Legal Research – Overview, citation, publication, primary and secondary authorities.
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 15 and 16
Note: Midterm Examination
Class 9 (3 hours)
Judicial Source of Law, court opinions, case law, federal and state. Administrative
sources of law, enabling legislation, Administrative Law Courts
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 17 and 18
Class 10 (3 hours)
Secondary Authorities – Dictionaries, restatements, legislative history. Introduction to
Tort and Personal Injury Law, classification of torts, negligence and intentional torts.
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Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 19 and 20
Class 11 (3 hours)
Negligence – principles and assessment, defenses, liability.
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 21 and 22
Class 12 (3 hours)
Strict Liability and Products Liability
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 23 and 24
Class 13 (3 hours)
Class Actions and Multidistrict Litigation, case management, role of the legal nurse
consultant.
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 25 and 26
Class 14 (3 hours)
Evidence Law, principles and application, including witness testimony and physical
evidence. Basics of Civil Procedure. Ethics and professional associations.
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 24, 25, 33, 34
Class 15 (3 hours)
Medical Legal Writing and Correspondence, Medical Summaries, Medical Bill Review,
Life Care Plans and Medical Literature Review, Preparation for Trial
Assignment: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting, Chapters 28, 29, 30, 31
Class 16 (3 hours)
Note: Final Exam
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
Library Resources: Journal and Newspaper Articles as assigned,
Reference Materials as assigned
Audio Visual Materials as assigned
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Methods of Evaluation: Students will be assigned (1) research paper and (1) project
composed of a literature search, 1 quiz, a mid-term examination and a final examination.
The grading shall be apportioned as follows:
Homework/Participation 10%
Paper, Project and Quiz 45%
Mid-term examination 20%
Final examination 25%
_____
TOTAL 100%
Grading Systems: grading scale shall be based upon the scale and allowable grades as
established by the rules of Bergen Community College
Homework: Assignment submission will be required for course credit as
assigned and required by the Professor during the semester
and will be integrated into final grade pursuant to
evaluation procedures listed above.
Attendance: Will be taken at each session and is subject to the rules of
the college. Attendance at lectures is
Imperative to acquisition and understanding of the
substantive material of the course. Habitual absence and/or
tardiness may result in loss of credit for the course.
Students are instructed to notify the professor prior to
absences, if known and are responsible for the materials
from classes which are missed. Students are required to
take all examinations on the announced date or otherwise
scheduled at the discretion of the instructor. All projects
and examinations must be completed for credit for the
course.
Faculty absence: A daily listing will appear in the glass case located in the
front lobby of the Administration Wing of the main
building which will indicate all classes which are cancelled.
Another listing will appear in the glass case adjacent to the
Hotel/Restaurant bulletin board in East Hall. Students may
consult these bulletin boards before going to class.
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