This conference expanded my business!

I can't agree more. ​I am so grateful to Claire, the HMs, and this wonderful group for all that you have helped me accomplishin the past 2 years. With the conference coming up, I feel compelled to tell my story.
 
I got my CLNC in Oct 2011 but could not get my business going. I was clueless and as most of you know marketing is very limited in most programs. I attended a private apprenticeship in 2013, hoping I would learn to market.  It didn't happen. I put my business on the backburner while I worked part time in a Cardiology practice.
 
I periodically searched online for some type of legal nurse support group wondering if such a thing existed. In June 2014, I stumbled on the JERK website and did the dance of joy! The best part was Claire was right here in NC (30 min away). I ran downstairs and told my husband, "I want to be a JERK!" You can imagine his smart reply.
 
I finally spoke with Claire in August. It turns out we had both worked at the same hospital here in Raleigh for over 20 yrs but had never met. I told Claire what I was looking for and she told me, "You need to come to our conference. You will love it."
 
The same weekend as the conference, I had a big family gathering in Vermont (already had my plane ticket). I called Claire back and told her I would just have to sit in online with the group. Claire's response was, "That isn't the same. YOU NEED TO COME TO THE CONFERENCE, meet people face to face, network, make connections." I could not pass up the opportunity. It was the answer to my prayers.
 
So I attended my first JERK conference in Oct 2014. It was the BEST thing I have ever done. I was alone but the HMs made me feel so welcome. I can honestly say I have never met so many warm and wonderful people. It was like a huge family reunion. The conference was amazing and I had a fantastic time. I met someone who actually became a new HM (Heritage Member) that weekend. As luck would have it, she became my mentor and was a marketing guru. I got my first case four months later. I did some subcontracting for another LNC contact from the conference and learned a lot about report writing.
 
I am still rather new but at 2 yrs out (34 yrs of nursing), I have steady work and I am thrilled. So many JERKs have helped me along the way and I am so grateful to all of them. Newbies .... come to the conference, make those connections and get your business going. I'm so glad that I did. This is truly a gift from Claire, the HM’s and Conference Committee. Hope to see you there!
 
Nora S. Kinney, RN, BSN, CLNC