A legal nurse consultant has an understanding of not only the nursing field, but also a legal one. Legal nurses should be able to offer advice to attorneys, paralegals and other legal experts in regards to medically-related issues of the law. To become a legal nurse consultant, you must first obtain your licensed practical nursing degree, which can take 2 to 4 years to earn. It also is generally required that you have at least 5 years of experience as a nurse. Coursework in legal terminology and the law also are required.