The Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree First Degree in Law

What is a J.D.?Commonly referred to as a law degree Professional degree (like MD, DO, DDS, DVM)

Different from a doctorate (Ph.D, Ed.D)Graduation from a J.D. program enables the

graduate to gain entrance to the bar examThe J.D. graduate must pass the “bar” to

practice law in their stateSimilar to a BSN graduate needing to pass

the state “boards” to practice as a Registered Nurse

Why Pursue a J.D.? The era of “a job for life” is over. You will need to

continually improve, broaden and enhance your skills to stay competitive.

Do it for your kids. Children of educated parents do better (Crawford, Goodman, Greaves and Joyce).Study shows a deficit in cognitive and socio-emotional

development at ages 3, 5 and 7 in children whose parents’ have lower levels of education and income.

You’ll be bored with just working after you finish nursing school.

Every family needs a lawyer. Why not that be you?Impress your friends!

Education Attainment and Effect on Earnings An Important Relationship

Employment Outlook & Median Salaries

Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Lawyers

- 13% Increase in the 2008-18 decade- Median wage $110k

What Can I Do with a RN, JD Combo? Risk Management

Manage liability exposures arising from clinical variances, including training, reporting, management, investigation, loss reserving, communications with insurance providers and external counsel, and trend reporting.

Corporate Compliance Develop, implement and monitor a comprehensive and effective corporate

compliance program. Collaborate with key stakeholders to advise them on developing compliance controls, objectives and strategies to promote adherence to applicable laws, regulations, company policies and industry standards. Promote a culture of compliance and ethics within the company.

Legal Nurse Consulting Performs medical case review for adherence to standard of care. Report

findings of case review, including identifying severity of a case. General Counsel for Healthcare Organization Litigate Medical Malpractice Healthcare Administrator

Source: CareerBuilder. Job Search: Director of Risk Management, Corporate Compliance, etc.

How Do I Earn a J.D.? Select one of the 200 law schools that have

been approved by the American Bar Association to offer a J.D.

Only three (3) Years in a Full-Time program Just like the BSN!

Part-time, evening, weekend and distance learning programs availablePerfect for working nurses

Facts about a J.D. Education

Source: American Bar Association. Legal Education Statistics from ABA-Approved Law Schools

Data from 2008/2009/2010 Academic Year $18, 472 Average Law School Tuition (public

school/resident) $12,878 Average Living & Book Expenses for On

Campus Student$68,827 $106,249

Average Amount Borrowed – PublicAverage Amount Borrowed - Private

$815,701,392

Grants & Scholarships available

14.6 Average Student to Faculty Ratio 22.1% J.D. Degrees Awarded to Minority 47.1% J.D. Degrees Awarded to Females

Where Can I Go to Earn my J.D.?Schools within 2 +/- hours of the Coachella Valley California Western School of Law, San Diego Chapman University School of Law, Orange Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University, Los

Angeles Southwestern Law School, Los Angeles Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego University of California at Irvine (UCI), School of Law University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Law University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego USC, Gould School of Law, Los AngelesWestern State College, School of Law, Fullerton Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa

Source: American Bar Association. ABA-Approved Law Schools

Take Away Message Be unrelenting in your pursuit of higher

education and more knowledge. If a J.D. is not for you, pursue professional

certification in a specialty (CPHRM, CPHQ, AOCNS®) and work on a post graduate degree (MSN, MHA, MPA, MBA, DNP, Ph.D.)

Never sit on your laurels, you’ll be at risk for becoming irrelevant.

Resources American Bar Association (ABA) www.americanbar.org

The ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve

American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) www.ashrm.org ASHRM promotes effective and innovative risk management strategies and

professional leadership through education, recognition, advocacy, publications, networking and interactions with leading health care organizations and government agencies. ASHRM initiatives focus on developing and implementing safe and effective patient care practices, the preservation of financial resources and the maintenance of safe working environments.

American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) www.aalnc.org Nonprofit organization dedicated to the professional enhancement of

registered nurses practicing as legal consultants.

References American Bar Association. Legal Education Statistics from ABA-

Approved Law Schools. Retrieved from: http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba.pdf

Crawford, J., Goodman, A., Greaves, E., Joyce, R. (2011, July). The Institute for Fiscal Studies. Cohabitation, marriage, relationship stability and child outcomes: an update. doi: 10.1920/co.ifs.2011.0120

Julian, J. and Kominski, R. Education and Synthetic Work-Life Earnings Estimates - American Community Survey Reports.

Retrieved from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acs-14.pdf

US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Lawyers . Retrieved from: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm