Linda Smith's message about the IBLCE exam as verifying basic information
made a lot of sense. I work hard to promote increased knowledge among staff
nurses. After being repeatedly told to "Get someone else to do some of what
you do. They don't have to do everything, but they can do some of what you do
so you won't be called so much," I proposed to the head nurse group that any
interested staff member be given administrative support (meaning work time)
for 6 months of training. The nurse would read one article a week that I
would provide. We would meet monthly to discuss the articles. These nurses
would accompany me for referrals. (I get a lot of "can't get the baby awake,
can't get the baby to stop crying, can't get the baby to latch on, can't get
the baby to stay latched on, sore nipples, talk to this mom on the
telephone", and so on. Lactnetters know what I'm talking about.) I also
requested that anyone interested be willing to spend one hour a week making
follow-up telephone calls. Reference material is available on a bookshelf at
the hospital.

There has been a definite increase in staff skill levels in the year since I
became the hospital's lactation consultant. (8 hours a week allocated for
this part of my job.) I have provided numerous short inservices. However,
there are no nurses who took up the opportunity to become "experts".  As a
staff nurse, I understand how hard it is to get everything done. I can fairly
quickly get babies latched on and mothers calmed because I have lots of
practice. Some nurses find it easier to have me do it than spend the time
learning to improve their skills.

As evidenced by LLLI leaders, having an interest (passion) for helping women
breastfeed is what it takes to obtain the knowledge. Time to go. Thanks for
listening.

Becky