Please, no flames, as this is my humble opinion. I've often wondered why,
from the beginning, our "profession" did not require a course of formal
training, as is required in other professions. I am a nurse, so I will
speak to my own profession. There is not a state in the US that will grant
a license to practice to an aspiring nurse without that individual showing
proof that s/he has successfully matriculated thru an accredited school of
nursing, as well as showing proof of having passed the profession's state
licensing boards. It seems to me that ILCA requires only half of other
professions' requirements - the licensing exam. Where is the formal
training? I feel that the number of clinical hours required to sit the
exam focuses way too much on numbers of hours, rather than quality of
hours. Requiring a standardized training course, so that all graduates of
the course have a similar level of training, only makes sense.
I couldn't imagine practicing as an LC without the formal courses of
training I have, just as I could not imagine practicing as a nurse without
similar training. I am UCLA-trained in both the educator and consultant
courses, which are Master's level courses thru UCLA Extension, have been in
practice for 25 years in the hospital setting (having, on the average, 200+
patient contacts/month) and take many continuing education courses/seminars
every year. Also, serve as adjunct UCLA faculty for their Lactation
Training Program. Have never sat the IBLCE exam, but planning to do so
this year, as I'm quite frankly, getting tired of being critcized for not
having entry-level initials behind my name. Other professions do not accept
only "on-the-job" experience, so why should we? Formal "schooling" as part
of our licensing requirement would go a long way towards
the "professionalism" we so greatly desire.
I would be more than happy to serve on the committee that is looking into
these issues, as I have felt quite strongly about this for many years.
Sorry for the rant. Again, my 2 cents.
Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL USA
I am a little confused about midwives being included in this group of
allied and paraprofessionals. Are we talking about lay midwives, nurse-
midwives, or both? If nurse-midwives are considered allied or
paraprofessional, then what are nurses considered?
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