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LNCtips.com: Cognitive Reframing for LNCs


I'm not a psychologist, and I have no experience in psychiatric nursing. However, I'm a big believer in cognitive reframing because I know the power it holds in my daily work life. Cognitive reframing is a psychological technique that identifies maladaptive thoughts and then changes the perspective so that our thoughts are more positive and powerful. I have met and worked with many new legal nurse consultants who seemed defeated before they even started in the field. They were frustrated because they couldn't get any cases. They were resentful because they had invested time and money into a new field. They were discouraged because they felt they didn't have enough support. However, these negative thoughts can be transformed into positive ones when they're reframed. Let me show you some real-life examples of maladaptive thoughts related to legal nurse consulting and examples of reframed thoughts.

Maladaptive Thought Reframed Thought
I don't have any support. I'm learning to function independently.
Everything is so new that it's overwhelming. Everything is so new that it's exciting. If I feel overwhelmed, I'll do one thing at a time instead of thinking about everything all at once.
It's hard to go from being comfortable with my nursing knowledge to being uncomfortable as an LNC. Each day, I'll work on becoming more comfortable about my knowledge level.
I don't how to do things, such as writing an affidavit or completing a chart review. I know how to use the internet, books, and other sources to help me with tasks such as these.
If attorneys would just give me a chance, I know I could do this job. I'm going to show attorneys and myself that I can do this job by creating work product samples.
I'm getting no response to my marketing efforts. I haven't gotten a response yet, but I'll continue to refine my marketing techniques.
I don't know the legal nurse consulting field yet. I'm getting better every day. I'm learning something every day.
If other people would do their jobs, I wouldn't have such a hard time doing mine. I'm going to do the best job possible, even under these difficult circumstances.
There's too much happening at once. I can't keep track of it all. I'll get through this. I've gotten through difficult situations before, and I will now.
There are so many other LNCs. I don't know how to sell myself. I'm an RN with a unique set of abilities and skills. There is no one else exactly like me, so I will capitalize on those unique abilities and skills to sell myself.

Can you see the difference that reframing your thoughts makes? For simplified methods that can show you how to start reframing your thoughts, try RyanAnswers or Psychology Today.

...Katy Jones