I don't think you are painting all RN's or any other profession as unknowing
when you relate an experience with one.
I am just in process of trying to sort out with the hospital IBCLC here what
to do with two new grads working here in OB.  They came out of nursing
school with enthusiasm for breastfeeding but incorrect information.
We have had to deal with several mom's with bleeding and shredded nipples
lately.  The two new nurses are convinced of some incorrect information, one
being that nursing hurts and the other that they can tell a bad or good
latch by looking at the infant at breast.
The hospital IBCLC is arranging to spend some time with them, both with
teaching and telling them to refer to her with problems. She was available
when these two were telling my poor clients that nursing is supposed to hurt
and that the infant's latch was good.  I maintain that any latch that makes
the mother hit the ceiling in pain is not good. The infant in this case has
a small mouth and a tucked upper lip.  Hopefully we can get things sorted,
the mom is a bit discouraged. I am trying to arrange an hour's teaching time
at the nursing school with their new students.
These two new nurses, proficient and caring, just need some help.  One of
the things I think all good medical professionals learn is when to refer.
We are also struggling with a physician at the same hospital that insists
that all standing orders include 24 hour wearing of a support bra. This
doesn't mean that he is a bad doctor, just has a piece of information that
is not helpful to most.
I don't think saying either of these things reflects on either profession as
a whole, just two issues here we need to sort out.

Pat Thomas PHN IBCLC
Winona County Community Health
Winona, MN

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