Authors:

• Beth Diehl, DNP, NNP-BC, CCRN, LNCC
• Wendie Howland, MN, RN-BC, CRRN, CCM, CNLCP, LNCC
• Karen Wilkinson, MN, ARNP, LNCC, CNLCP

Target Audience: RNs interested in learning more about legal nurse consulting and the LNC role as an expert witness or fact witness

Description/Purpose: Participation in this online module will increase the learner’s knowledge on essential information for the legal nurse consultant in the expert witness and fact witness roles.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the foundation for nurses serving as expert witnesses
• Describe routes by which nurses may assume the role of expert witness
• List steps for record review and analysis by expert witnesses
• Delineate expectations for communications by nurse experts
• Relate the legal deviation of “Standard of Care” to the clinical definition
• Explain the testifying nurse expert’s role in deposition and trial
• Describe the role and purpose of an expert fact witness
• Discuss marketing the role to attorneys
• Describe the approach to organization and presentation of medical records to a jury
• Identify steps in preparing to testify as an expert fact witness

Continuing Education: The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants is accredited as a provider of continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Contact Hours: 2.5

Expiration Date: November 15, 2026

Successful Completion:

• Complete individual module and activities
• Obtain a score of at least 80% on the module post-test
• Complete the online course evaluation and attestation of completion