Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Durek.
Hi Jay, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to teach and help others. I genuinely enjoyed learning new things and supporting people in whatever way I could. I was raised around individuals who would give the shirt off their back without hesitation, and that environment strongly shaped my values and how I approach both life and my career.
My grandfather, Brad, had a significant influence on me. He often told me, “Knowledge is something no one can ever take away from you,” and encouraged me to learn something new every single day. I took that advice to heart—and I still live by it. That love of learning, combined with a deep-rooted sense of service, naturally led me toward healthcare.
Nursing runs deep in my family on both sides. One of my earliest inspirations was my great-grandmother, Ruth, who was among the first graduates of the former St. Mary’s School of Nursing in the 1920s. While I didn’t fully grasp the impact of that legacy early on, it became meaningful as I began my own journey.
What truly solidified my path, however, began in high school when I took my first job as a dietary aide and cook at a local nursing home. In that role, I learned the importance of dignity, teamwork, and compassionate care. I discovered how meaningful it was to help people—no matter how small the task—and that experience inspired me to pursue my Certified Nursing Assistant certification. As a CNA, I worked across multiple floors at a local hospital and also provided in-home care for two women who lived on opposite sides of the home where my great-grandmother had once lived. They shared stories about her and often told me how much I reminded them of her, which further reinforced that I was exactly where I belonged.
After high school, I initially attended Delta College for graphic design. While I enjoyed the creativity, I realized after a year that my true calling was nursing. I changed my major and worked as a CNA throughout nursing school. I graduated from Delta College with an Associate Degree in Nursing, along with a degree in Business Management. I scheduled my NCLEX immediately, passed, and began my nursing career at the same local hospital on a Cardiac Progressive Step-Down Unit. That role is where my passion for cardiology truly came to life.
As my career progressed, I expanded my clinical experience by working in a Neuro-Trauma ICU, serving as an office nurse in cardiology practices, and spending a few years working with the VA. I later returned to outpatient cardiology, continuing to build a well-rounded and diverse clinical background.
In 2024, I began exploring new ways to utilize my nursing expertise while working from home, as my personal goal shifted toward homeschooling our son. One evening, I came across a program on Instagram that introduced the role of a Certified Legal Forensic Nurse Consultant. I reached out with questions—and then asked even more. After discussing the opportunity with my husband, I decided to pursue this path wholeheartedly. My mentor later told me I was one of the most dedicated and engaged students she had worked with in years.
In January 2025, I officially launched JD Legal Nurse Consulting. Building a client base takes time, but the cases I have worked on so far have been both insightful and deeply fulfilling. This role brings together everything I love—medicine, education, critical thinking, and storytelling. I genuinely enjoy digging into medical records, identifying key details, and piecing together the full medical narrative so it can be clearly understood. It feels like a natural extension of who I’ve always been—and exactly where I’m meant to be.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like most people, my journey has not been without obstacles. For a long time, things progressed relatively smoothly—until loss became personal rather than something I encountered only in patient care.
In 2014, around my birthday and just before I was scheduled to begin the third semester of nursing school, my grandfather Brad passed away unexpectedly. He was my best friend, my greatest supporter, and someone I truly believe should still be here. His death completely shook my world. Within a week after his death, I was expected to return to school and walk back into the very hospital where he had died. I questioned whether I had the strength to continue.
I spent many long nights debating whether I should step away from nursing school altogether. Ultimately, I realized that my grandfather was my biggest cheerleader, and quitting would have been the last thing he would have wanted for me. So, I pushed forward—sometimes one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time.
Just as I was beginning to regain my footing, I experienced another profound loss. A close family friend—someone who had been like an uncle to me—died by suicide. The news was devastating for my dad and I. I supported my father through that loss while continuing to navigate my own grief. For a long time, I felt emotionally numb, and even now, it remains something I carry with me.
What sustained me during that period was an incredibly strong support system and a deep sense of purpose. Despite the emotional weight, I completed two more challenging semesters and began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In May 2015, I graduated with two degrees—an accomplishment that represented not only academic success, but resilience, perseverance, and growth.
As my nursing career progressed, it wasn’t always easy, but those experiences shaped how I show up professionally. They strengthened my ability to advocate, to listen, and to care deeply. I approach every patient with intention because I understand how much proper care, communication, and advocacy matter. I am driven by the belief that if I can help prevent another family from experiencing unnecessary loss, then the work I do truly matters.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One of the things I love most about nursing is that there are many paths you can take and many ways to use your license. At this stage in my career, I wear several professional hats that are each meaningful in their own way. I currently work as a Structural Heart Office Nurse, serve as a Clinical Nursing Instructor at my alma mater, and own and operate JD Legal Nurse Consulting. Each role fulfills a different part of who I am as a professional.
In the clinical setting, I value the connection I build with patients and the opportunity to guide them through complex and often overwhelming diagnoses. As an instructor, I thrive in teaching and mentoring students, helping them develop confidence, critical thinking skills, and a strong clinical foundation. Through JD Legal Nurse Consulting, I apply that same attention to detail and passion for education in a different way—by carefully examining medical records and telling a patient’s story accurately and clearly for attorney clients.
At JD Legal Nurse Consulting, I bridge the gap between medicine and law. I work with attorneys on both plaintiff and defense cases to analyze, interpret, and organize complex medical records so the medical narrative of a case is clear, accurate, and defensible. I review large volumes of records and distill them into detailed medical chronologies and fact summaries that highlight key events, timelines, standards of care, and any inconsistencies or missing documentation. A significant part of my role is translating medical terminology into language that attorneys, judges, and juries can understand, while maintaining clinical accuracy.
I also assist with early case screening and merit reviews, helping attorneys determine whether a case has medical support before committing extensive time or resources. This process allows legal teams to identify strengths, weaknesses, causation issues, and potential damages early, often helping them make informed strategic decisions and avoid unnecessary expert costs.
Because of my diverse clinical background, I evaluate cases with a practical, real-world understanding of how care is actually delivered—not just how it appears on paper. I look for documentation gaps, deviations from standards of care, and how clinical decisions impacted patient outcomes. While I do not provide legal opinions or testify, I serve as a behind-the-scenes medical expert who strengthens case preparation and helps attorneys confidently tell the full medical story.
When asked what I’m known for, I’m not sure I have a single label—but I hope it’s for my dedication, the time I invest, and my commitment to evidence-based knowledge. Whether I’m working with a patient, a student, or an attorney, I am passionate about helping people truly understand medical information. I will break concepts down, re-explain them, or even draw them out if needed, because I believe knowledge empowers better care & decisions.
What I am most proud of is how far I’ve come. The career I’ve built, the roles I’ve earned, and the family I’ve created are more than I ever imagined—and I know I’m not done yet.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Outside of my professional life, I am a wife and a mother—roles that ground me.. My husband and I share a love story that feels a bit unconventional in the best way. We were friends for twenty years before taking a chance on something more. Six years later, we’ve been married for three and are raising our four-year-old son, who truly is the best of both of us and the greatest joy in my life.
Our family also includes a rescue pit bull named Leo, who keeps us laughing and reminds us daily of the importance of patience and unconditional love. Over the past couple of years, we’ve experienced the loss of two dogs who were very much part of our family—Talia and Blue. While that loss was difficult, they remain a meaningful part of our story.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, attending classic car shows, and exploring a newly discovered love for gardening. Most of all, I value time spent adventuring with my family—whether that’s trying something new or simply being together. These moments help keep me balanced, curious, and present, qualities that carry into every aspect of my personal and professional life.
Pricing:
- varies by case
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jdlfnc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdlegalnurseconsulting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/JD-Legal-Nurse-Consulting/61575802331342/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdlegalnurseconsulting/
- Other: https://share.google/J0zWcsnJpn9Alc5rz
