Get to Know Legal Nurse Consultant: Maggie Williamson
Name, title, city you are based in:
Maggie Williamson, RN, BSN, LNCC based in Winnetka, IL.
What is your role at Med Law Advisory Partners?
Legal Nurse Consultant
What did you do before working for Med Law Advisory Partners?
I worked in bedside nursing prior to beginning my career at Med Law Advisory Partners. I have worked in a multitude of healthcare settings with the primary setting being Labor & Delivery.
Why do you do this type of work? Do you have a specific area of expertise that you are the most fond of?
After my years in nursing, I pivoted to Legal Nurse Consulting to use my nursing skills in a different setting. It was refreshing to see my nursing experience serve a new purpose. Given the majority of my nursing experience was in Women’s Health/Labor & Delivery I enjoy participating in birth injury cases.
In your opinion, what is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Being able to help clients understand the nursing process and how it affects the potential medical malpractice for both defense and plaintiff cases.
Tell us about a time you had to overcome a challenge or obstacle within being a legal nurse consultant – how did you overcome this/what did you learn?
The field of Legal Nurse Consulting always leaves the potential for disagreement on liability. It is essential to continue learning how to understand different viewpoints on the liability of different facilities and providers. Every healthcare provider brings different opinions and experiences to the table when looking at the potential viability of a case.
What is something in the healthcare industry that comes to mind that you would like to see improved or changed?
I hope that the role of the bedside nurse becomes more respected and compensated. The bedside nurse is an integral part of the entire healthcare process, and I hope society begins to appreciate their contribution to the healthcare community.
What are you most likely up to when you are off-the-clock?
Being with my husband and 3 kids who are 9, 7, and 5 years old!
What is some advice you would give to nurses looking to pursue a career in legal nurse consulting?
I would tell them to try to connect with fellow nurses who are already in the business to get an idea of the process and what skills you need to hone to become successful.
Interesting fact about yourself:
Before my nursing career I worked in PR in Los Angeles.