Skip to main content
Nurse.com Blog

How Does One Become a Nurse Lawyer?

Legal Tips for Nurses
Dear Nancy,

How does one become a nurse lawyer? Brian  

Dear Brian,

First, you must have a bachelor's degree in order to be considered for admission into law school. The BS degree does not have to be any specific major, such as nursing, pre-law or political science. Some law schools may tend to prefer certain majors and you can determine this by reviewing their admission requirements on their respective websites. If you are interested in focusing your law practice in healthcare, you want to focus on law schools with established healthcare courses that you can take as you go through your three-year experience as a law student. Again, there are some law schools that have a strong health law component and there are others that might not have as much choice for you. Checking on the courses offered, and which courses are required and which can be taken as electives, would be important. After you pass the bar exam and are sworn in as an attorney in your state, you can begin your practice. If you are going to advertise yourself as a nurse lawyer and use credentials such as RN, JD, you will have to maintain your registration as an RN in the state in which you practice. If, in contrast, you are going to practice law, represent nurses and not maintain your RN licensure, then you would not use the title nurse lawyer or the credential RN. It might be best for you to consult with a nurse attorney in your state about his or her practice and what requirements would be helpful for you to know as you begin this journey. You want to ensure compliance with both your legal and ethical obligations as a nurse and as a lawyer since you will be licensed in both disciplines. Cordially, Nancy