Even though I mostly lurk ( because I don't particularly like to write and
barely have enough time to read lactnet)  I just had to add a few fractured
thoughts to this thread.




















































                                                                     Although
nursing has certain requirements to graduate from school you than have to
pass the RN boards.  Most hospitals have a preceptor program for new grads
usually from 4 weeks to six months.  I can tell you from personal experience
that even after your preceptor program, most new grads are not anywhere close
to being able to perform to the competency that I can now with 13+ years
experience as an RN.  I think it takes 1-2 years in any one specialty to be
fairly competent.  There are things that I may just know by instinct that
take new nurses years to know.  I believe it is the same with LC's.   But you
have to start somewhere.  I think the problem with LC's is somewhere along
those lines.  Even with the hours we obtain for IBCLC status most of the
hours are not supervised by another IBCLC.  Being an RN with 9+ years
Newborn, special care nursery and OB experience it is not to difficult to
build up the hours needed to sit for the exam but as Jan Barger discussed,
 it is not well rounded.  The experience I have gotten after the neonatal
period has been mostly personal and dealing with friends who have called me
for advice.  Luckily for me and those I council I am an avid reader and read
anything I can get my hands on about Lactation.  I especially enjoy reading
Lactnet for the vast amount of knowledge and opinions I am exposed to.

It would be nice to get  more well rounded experience but where I live there
are only a handful of IBCLC's around who I didn't even know or hear of until
I became an IBCLC.
Possibly more formal hands on programs would help. The other problem then at
 this time would be that those type of programs would be costly to set up at
this time because at least in my area (central NJ), there aren't many jobs
for LC's.  Even in private practice in this area, many people are not yet
willing to pay.  Maybe it will be better if we can get 3rd party
reimbursement.

I guess I don't have an answer, but I just wanted to put in my $.02.
Have a Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
Caren