"The development of a program such as this answers the growing call for experienced, qualified nurses to be part of legal teams in various types of companies," said Judy Vallarelli, associate director of the center and head of the program.

The curriculum, which incorporates medicine and law, prepares nurses to address the legal issues that arise in medical litigation. Insurers, health management organizations, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies all require experts with medical and legal knowledge. Contracting a legal nurse consultant (LNC) to engage in forensic nursing and evaluate personal injury, product liability and worker compensation claims would typically cost less than hiring a lawyer familiar with medicine.

Legal nurse consultants, also known as nurse attorneys, have clinical experience, as well as the ability to interpret medical records, documents and health science literature. An LNC should also have a thorough understanding of health care issues and trends related to the litigation process.

The 10-month program was designed in a year-long collaboration between the Lienhard School of Nursing and the School of Law. "Although the certificate is not unique to Pace," Vallarelli said, "the University’s approach to create it was. Other schools in the area have similar programs. However, Pace is the only school that has utilized a collaborative approach, combining expert faculty from both the nursing school and law school to not only develop but execute the program."

The program involves 200 classroom hours with 120 hours of course instruction to take place at the law school. Law classes will include legal research, legal writing, civil litigation and risk management. The LNC program has been approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for 300 contact hours.