I have been thinking about going back to school for a new career. I have been a nurse for 24 yrs, I've worked in many fields; geriatrics, rehab, brain trauma long term care, MD office, emergency and trauma flight crew to name a few. I currently work with special needs children in the community and love it. I have made a personal committment to the child and his family to be his primary nurse to go to school with him for as long as they need me. Once that case ends I would like to move on to something new... I was thinking about Paralegal. I did some work for a friend of a friend (lawyer) while his FT Paralegal was on maternity leave and loved it. He said I had a natural talent and should consider going to school for it. He has since passed away.

I have explored my options for education, they range from a certificate to degree programs. There are business schools and colleges as well as online programs. I currently have an AS and my LPN license. I was considering going for an online program so that I could complete my education before my current case ends enabling me to move in a new direction - I wasn't sure how emplyers would feel about that kind of education. there is no point in spending the time and money on something that won't be worth anything.

The other issue I found when researching this was the American Bar Association (ABA) has a list of approved schools. The closest one is over an hour away from me. How important is this to employers?

Any insight or advice you have would be appreciated

First off, God bless you for all that you have done with your nursing career. I can't even begin to imagine all of the lives you have touched!

Could you call law firms and ask their opinion? I know in the teaching field, there are schools that are just degree mills - meaning, pay them money and you'll get a degree. They aren't quality, and administrators tend not to hire people who graduate from there. I imagine that happens in other careers, as well. Personally, I wouldn't want to spend money on a school unless I knew that the degree I received meant something to possible employers. I have no idea what other organizations to call, but maybe calling around to law firms would give you an idea on what schools to stay away from.

I hope that helps. Best of luck to you.

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If you need to get in touch with me, my email is teach1107910@yahoo.com.

I had considered calling or emailing a few law firms to ask their advice but I wasn't sure how they would feel about it. I know what you mean about the degree mills I know nurses who are trying to find work who have online degrees with limited sucess. The online nursing degree programs that I am familiar with lack sufficient field experience so many facilities and agencies are reluctant to hire them.

My SIL got her paralegal certificate fom a local tech school. Although her salary wasn't what she was hoping for (28K, but she was 22), she got several job offers as soon as she put her resume out there. I would see if there is a "hot" field in your area that you may be interested in as well. Here- its real estate, so the paralegals that got some classes in that were hot commodities

My thought for online is that nursing and paralegal are 2 entirely different entities. I cannot fathom an online degree- my background is in science and all my classes were very hands on, labs, fields, concepts that I could in no way grasp from online learning. I'm sure nursing was similar in some respects. Paralegals do more researchj and writing and I would think that an online program could offer those skills. I know several people taking MBA programs online andthey seem to be very comprehensive programs from great universities.


Good luck!

I got a paralegal degree after college when I was trying to decide if I wanted to go to law school. My father is an attorney and it was his suggestion, and I am thankful for it, because I couldn't stand it! LOL I went to an ABA approved school that only took college graduates and it made a big difference for the people that I went to school with that ended up with job offers. This was 13 years ago and these people were coming out of school making between $40 and $50,000 a year (keep in mind that I am in a very big city so I don't know what the pay would be in other parts of the country).

I am not sure about online schools. I don't know anyone that has gone that route. I can tell you that it was HARD and I had to study for several hours each night. You cover so much ground in such a short period of time that you really have to stay on top of it. I only know one person who is still doing it professionally and is probably making in the $60s.

My last job was as at a law firm, I considered myself a secretary/assistant but my boss would refer to me as his paralegal, he knew I didn't have a paralegal degree but didn't care! This was a small firm and they had a Dr on staff at one time (to review medical malpractice and wrongful death reports). They have recently double the firm size but now have a nurse on hand. So I think a large firm that deals with Personal Injury/Medical malpractice would LOVE to have you on board.
Good luck!

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Amanda
Mommy to Zack & Emily

Wow, I have just quit my job as an OR nurse of 20 years to become a stay at home Mom and to become a Legal Nurse Consultant. I am going thru an on-line program thru Kaplin University. I love it so far. Sounds like you would to

Thanks again for all the advice. I have composed an email to send to a few local law firms asking their advice on what type of education I should get. I never see any ads for Paralegals but there are dozens of law firms so I'm sure the jobs are there. I don't expect to make the amount of money I am making now as an agency nurse, I am more interested in doing something differerent that I enjoy. I also want a job with benefits and a better schedule.

I work in the legal field and here is my advice:

a paralegal with a nursing degree and experience would be VERY valuable to law firms that do medical malpractice or workers' compensation claims. You would review and analyze medical records. My current firm does workers' comp and it had a nurse/paralegal on staff. She makes a very good living.

I think some law firms would be more than happy to talk to you about it. You should do a google search to see which law firms do medical mal and workers' comp and then call those firms. Ask the receptionist if they have paralegals and their names. Then contact those paralegals directly. You could also go through the office manager or HR manager if the law firm is big enough to have those. When you do get through to someone, ask them do they require a specialized paralegal degree, if so what type? Is it ok just to be certified or do they require an actual degree? Or just experience?

You should also contact your local (city) bar association. Most cities have them. Also, your state bar association. I'm pretty sure all states have them and you'll get information specific to your state.

Good for your for thinking about your career and your future. Good luck!