Laura Wham and all,  In 1992, for a MSN project I expanded on Pat Van Bonn's
work at U of M with minimum BF competencies for all perinatal staff.
Humenick's article (1992) "A call for the lactation initiator: Setting the
standards". Journal of Human Lactation, 8(3), 121-124. and the work of
Benner (1984) From novice to expert: Excellence and power in clinical
nursing practice.  Menlo Park CA: Addison Wesley Publishing Company were
also major resources.  I set out a list of content and competencies from
basic to expert in 5 levels, with associated readings. Each level could
easily be reproduced and kept in a notebook on the nursing unit.  Some
research shows that continuing ed for nurses needs to be "user friendly" -
accessible.  Pat Van Bonn's admin. required each perinatal nurse to complete
Unit 1(or level 1).  I figured a clinical ladder concept could be used to
encourage further study, so I concocted levels 2-5.  It's long and K.A. has
pointed out to me that some of the references are getting dated.  I don't
currently have the time to re - research it.  But I want to share the basic
idea. I would love to have 1100 people comment on what I teased out for
competencies at each level, but I think it (streamlined version - K.A.) is
still to long for Lactnet. I snailed it to somebody.  Maybe after she reads
it, we could decide if a streamlined version (just content and competencies)
would be worth discussing.  Let me know your wishes.  I put a lot of work
into it and hate to just see it sitting when I know somebody could use it.
I personally hate reinventing the wheel!  Pat

Pat Young in SNJ, USA