Diane,

I like your typology and I am excited to think that we have reached the point of
needing some qualitative research on the evolution of the LC as a professional!

I can clearly see myself on that second crest now, as I've become mostly a
mentor for new LCs. When I hit the last stage...the one with burnout, I wanted
to see the larger picture more clearly so I added the doula role to my
repertoire.

Now that I look back upon my career, I think every time I've hit that lull I've
responded by wanting a larger picture. For instance: I started out as a NICU
nurse and when I got burned out I went to pediatric nursing....then when I
burned out on that I went to perinatal nursing......from there to LC work and
Family Studies......and then to doulaing and Women's Studies........... I now do
family education including birth, breastfeeding, baby care, child care,
parenting......

I would love to see some research on this subject! How many of us have this
pattern of ever expanding interests? Is it unique to LCs? Seems there are some
pretty big questions to ask!

Susan

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