Side Hustles for Nurses and CRNAs: How I Got Started in Legal Nurse Consulting and Working From Home
If there’s one thing nursing has taught me, it’s how to adapt. For years, I believed my only path as a CRNA meant long shifts, early alarms, and hospital walls. Then life changed (read more about my breast cancer diagnosis at 31 years old and 7 months postpartum HERE) and I realized I could use my skills in a whole new way. That’s how I stumbled into Legal Nurse Consulting, a side hustle that opened doors I never knew existed and let me work from home while still doing meaningful, purpose-driven work.
After my diagnosis, I started to rethink what “career success” looked like. I wanted to keep doing meaningful work, but I also needed flexibility and space to take care of my health and my family. That’s when I started exploring side hustles for nurses and discovered a whole new path through Legal Nurse Consulting (LNC).
How I Got My Start: Investing in Mentorship
When I first heard about Legal Nurse Consulting, I was intrigued but completely lost on where to begin. I didn’t know how to find cases, write reports, or connect with attorneys. So instead of trying to figure it all out on my own, I did something that changed everything: I paid for mentorship from another experienced LNC.
That investment gave me the foundation I needed to get started. I learned how to review records efficiently, organize case timelines, and write clear, attorney-ready reports. My mentor walked me through what a retainer agreement looks like, how to invoice properly, and how to communicate in the legal world.
It was the best decision I could have made. I gained confidence, clarity, and a real understanding of how to turn this idea into action.
That experience inspired me to start mentoring other nurses and CRNAs who want to do the same. If you’re curious about building your own LNC side hustle, I’d love to guide you through the process that changed my career.
Why I Started Exploring Side Hustles as a CRNA
I love being a CRNA, and I’m proud of the years I spent building my anesthesia career. But I also know how demanding healthcare can be. Between long hours, burnout, and family life, I wanted to create another way to use my skills.
When I started exploring side hustles for nurses, I was drawn to ideas that would let me work from home and still make an impact. I’ve always been fascinated by the law. Honestly, if I hadn’t gotten into CRNA school, I probably would have gone to law school instead.
So when I learned about Legal Nurse Consulting, it immediately felt like the perfect fit.
What Is a Legal Nurse Consultant?
A Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) is a licensed nurse who uses clinical expertise to help attorneys understand medical cases. It’s a unique and growing field that connects healthcare and law.
LNCs can:
Review and analyze medical records
Identify deviations from standards of care
Write timelines, summaries, and expert reports
Educate attorneys about medical terminology and care processes
Provide consultation or serve as expert witnesses
You’re essentially the translator between two complex worlds. And the best part? You can do it from home while continuing your nursing or anesthesia work.
Learning the Legal Side as a CRNA
Transitioning from healthcare to law felt like learning a completely new language. The way attorneys write, think, and approach cases is very different from how we handle clinical situations.
You don’t need a certification to become a Legal Nurse Consultant, but you do need to learn how the process works. You must know how to review records, organize timelines, and communicate findings in a way that supports a legal argument.
Also, check out resources from the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC). Paired with my mentor’s hands-on guidance, that foundation helped me gain confidence to take on my first cases.
Working on a Retainer as a Legal Nurse Consultant
Today, I work with a legal team on a retainer basis.
My work involves reviewing medical records, summarizing findings, and providing medical insight throughout a case’s development. It allows me to stay connected to medicine in a meaningful way while continuing to learn about the legal process.
I haven’t replaced my CRNA income yet, and that’s okay, that was never the goal. This was never meant to replace my anesthesia work. It started as a side hustle, and it’s become a professional passion that challenges me in new ways.
The knowledge, flexibility, and perspective I’ve gained have been worth every bit of effort.
What Working From Home Looks Like
I still practice anesthesia, but now I also spend part of my week working from home. My setup is simple: laptop, quiet workspace, secure files, and a strong cup of coffee (that actually stays hot!).
A typical day might include reviewing case documents, writing reports, meeting attorneys on Zoom, or preparing timelines for review. It’s thoughtful, detail-oriented work that uses the same skills I relied on in the ICU and OR: critical thinking, documentation, and communication.
For nurses and CRNAs searching for side hustles that can be done from home, Legal Nurse Consulting is one of the most rewarding options I’ve found.
How to Get Started in Legal Nurse Consulting
If you’re interested in becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant, here’s how you can start:
1. Use your nursing license.
You only need an active RN or APRN license. That’s your biggest (and only!) qualification needed. You DO NOT need another certification. Don’t let another LNC program tell you that you do.
2. BUT you DO need to learn the structure of the work.
Focus on learning how to review records, write reports, and organize medical timelines for legal cases.
Q: How do you do that?
A: #3 and #4!
3. Explore trusted resources.
The AALNC is a great place to learn, network, and find continuing education.
4. Find a mentor.
This is the step that made the biggest difference for me. Investing in someone who already knows the field helps you avoid mistakes and move forward faster.
5. Build your confidence.
Practice reviewing mock cases, write sample reports, and build a small portfolio to show potential clients.
6. Start networking.
Reach out to law firms, attorneys, and other LNCs. LinkedIn and local bar associations can be excellent starting points.
If you want personal guidance and a step-by-step plan, you can sign up for my mentoring waitlist to learn exactly how I started, what I learned from my mentor, and how to begin taking your own cases.
Building Multiple Streams of Income as a CRNA
Legal Nurse Consulting has become one of several ways I earn income. I now view my career as a combination of complementary paths instead of one linear job. Between anesthesia, LNC work, coaching, and creating digital resources, I’ve built multiple income streams that give me freedom and flexibility.
Having different income sources doesn’t mean working more, it means working smarter. It gives you the ability to take time off, care for yourself, and still contribute meaningfully to your profession.
Final Thoughts: Nurses Belong in Every Room
I haven’t replaced my CRNA salary, but I’ve gained something just as valuable: balance, perspective, and new skills that challenge me every day.
Legal Nurse Consulting started as a side hustle and became a bridge between two worlds I love. It allows me to work from home, keep learning, and help attorneys better understand patient care.
If you’re curious about becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant or you’re ready to start your own side hustle, I’d love to mentor you through that process.
✨ You can create a career that supports your goals, your health, and the life you aspire to live.
