Hi All -

The recent thread about IBCLCs becoming RNs is something that's been
kicked around since before the credential IBCLC was offered. I hope that
someone from the IBLCE can share some of the thoughts of that group
resulting in the credential left open to *non-nurses*. And there have
been some excellent responses so far!

I have the feeling that some on-line listeners may feel encouraged to
become an RN. If that is truly your goal, your niche, and something
you'd enjoy, then by all means take that encouragement and run with it.

What could happen, though, is that a person could be under the
impression that becoming an RN will *solve* an acceptance problem. I am
not at liberty to share stories that I have heard from IBCLC's that have
become nurses and still felt that a conflict continues to exist, but
those stories are out there. Many health care professionals seem to
think (erroneously IMO) that the skills of a lactation consultant are
intrinsic to being a nurse - especially if the nurse has personal bfing
experience. The more I have learned (college courses - anatomy,
physiology etc) the more I have been able to help with latch, and it
follows then, with weight gain, breast milk production etc.

I was going to become a nurse. During one interview with a job training
counselor I was told that since I have seen so many *client hours* and
have been involved with hands-on helping, another and more monetarily
lucrative profession (?) would be physician assistant (PA) training.
This is offered at UC DAvis(and other places), entry to program is very
competitive (only 30 or so spots per year available i think) but allied
health care professions are accepted and are trained right along side
RNs who want to advance their careers.

BTW I'm not doing that either, personally, the immunolgical aspects of
breastfeeding and the microbiology of the gut wall of the newborn is so
interesting I've decided to finish out a biology degree with a
concentration in medical lab technology (then an additional one year
internship is required). That enables one to do research and publish
with accepted letters behind one's name.

I mention this because many units i've completed are *unusable* (courses
designated biology for pre-nursing students do not transfer to a biology
degree) on college transcripts...though I've benefitted from all i've
learned. So, don't just start out to be a nurse unless you really want
that *RN*.  Also, if you're returning to school to be a nurse, please go
for the BSN, instead of the associate's degree (it puts you up higher on
the ladder).

Paula Bermingham, IBCLC
CEMR-WIC