As a faculty member in a BSN program, I have been very interested in
the discussion that been going on.  Though I know there is a lot of
variation in the quantity and quality of information provided to students, I
feel very good doing what I can do to "change the world" and thought
you might be interested in what is happening in my neck of the woods.

I teach all the nursing students for two semester in all of their OB content
and also in their obstetrics clinical rotations.  Even before I was certified
as an LC, breastfeeding was always a strong thread that has been
woven into the courses over both semesters.  In the first semester, they
have about two hours of "formal" lecture on the topic of breastfeeding
and also a lab which addresses breastfeeding to better prepare them in
their clinical experience.  I find that in the 32 weeks I have them in class,
not a week goes by when breastfeeding is not incorporated into the
discussion topic.  My approach is to help them see the critical role
breastfeeding plays in health promotion and prevention of disease and
how far-reaching the implications are.

An additional learning experience in my high risk OB course is to enroll in
a listserv, learn/inform/and become enlightened by the professionals on
the list and participate in the discussion in a scholarly, professional
manner.  Many of these students choose to enroll in Lactnet and have
learned much about the continued sharing and search for knowledge by
this great group of professionals.  When you see them post, you can be
encouraged that your influence is helping shape the future of these
young professionals.

At the University of North Dakota, we are fortunate to have a Nursing
Center (a "center without walls") which runs a program called
"Expectant Family" in which the students are paired with an expectant
mother out in the community.  The students do home visits and provide a
great deal of education.  As expected, a prime topic for many relates to
breastfeeding.  Through this endeavor, the students educate themselves
in the process of educating families.  Through the nursing center, the
families can also access the services of graduate students for
specialized consultation and also the services of myself and another
IBCLC also on faculty here.

Another great facet of our facility is the active research program in
breastfeeding that is alive and well.  Under the direction of Dr. Susan
Henly, there is a great deal of research and publication by graduate
students in the area of breastfeeding which is shared in the region
during multiple presentations of their work.  We also have a program in
the undergraduate curriculum in which students can complete a thesis
as Seniors and graduate with honors.  Since we have an active program
of research in breast-feeding, many choose to work with myself and Dr.
Henly, completing scholarly, publishable work.  It is one of the most
exciting aspects of my job to see what these young professionals can
do.

This semester, I have started working with a sophomore student who is
embarking on an ambitious three year project in which she will evaluate
the students' knowledge and attitude regarding breast-feeding
throughout the nursing curriculum.  This is very exciting to me since I am
primarily responsible for much of this type of education.  I look forward to
seeing the continuing results during the next three years!

It is true that nursing students get very little breast-feeding info generally,
but it is important to remember that they are prepared to work as
generalists, not specialists.  They get much more experience and
specialized information after graduation.  It still surprises me when I
realize that not everyone has the passion for breast-feeding that I do, but
if I can make a small difference, it is worth it.

Keep the faith,
Cindy Anderson, MS, CNS, IBCLC
Clinical Assistant Professor
College of Nursing
University of North Dakota