Dear Yaffa and others, I began working as a post-partum nurse about 4 yrs ago
while finishing my lactation educator course.I was surprised to find that our
full time LC(who swore she had the best job in the place)would be leaving to
start her own company.After no one ran to the door for the position(no one in
area qualified) I indicated to my boss that I was interested and would be
willing to take the IBLCE.I was offered the position and eagerly accepted
it.What was to follow I would have never expected.For months many of the
nurses I had worked with seemed to look at me like "how did you get this
cushy job, I know as much as you do about breastfeeding".The congratulations
were few and far between.Many were surprised and questioned my
qualifications(I had been rather quiet about my CLE, while observing staff
attitudes breastfeeding)Very few were happy about me in this position.There
seemed to be a common attitude of jealousy. I remeber sharing this with my
mentor and she very quicklysaid "let them be jealous, you're the one who paid
the money and worked so hard to get where you are, don't feel bad about it
for one minute!" It took a while, but after 3-4 months the attitudes began to
change. I was assimilating into my new role(also working 4 days a month as
app nurse)I became an ally and a person who made their jobs easier. The
acceptance and appreciation is always visible now and truly from everyone
(every single day)! What is remarkable to me is that this seems to be an
initiation phase for all who walk this path. Another pp nurse became a CLE
last year(after my strong encouragement) and she now works one night a week
as a CLE and the other nights as a pp nurse.She voiced these same feelings in
her first few months and even had a serious problem with a good friend on our
unit, because she failed to acknowledge that the CLE had more expertise.FULL
CYCLE-This year two more nurses (PP and pediatric) have just completed
theirCLEs -  lo and behold they too are dismayed that everyone seems
alienated by them! Mind you, none of us are coming on strong initially! This
is just what I now perceive as "part of the game". Once they come to know
you, they come to love you - it's only a matter of time and of course
gentleness - be patient- the rewards are right around the corner! I suggest
all LCs take CPR and NALS(neonatal advanced life support).GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF
YOU WHO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD IN THE FUTURE! I am certain many of you may
identify with my experiences.
Anne williams RN BSN IBCLC
Oceanside, California
mother of 4 1/2 year old "test tube" baby Sawyer and mother-to-be of another
expensive test tube miracle in October