Once again, I need to pick the brains of those far wiser and much more
experienced than I, and this time it has to do with educational and career
options for non-RN IBCLC's.
 
A bit of back ground:  I am an IBCLC in private practice in Nanaimo, BC on
the west coast of Canada.  I became an IBCLC after 8 years as a LLL Leader
(now retired), and I do not have any other health disciplines or degrees.
As you would expect, my job opportunities as a non-RN IBCLC are limited.
Also, because of the 'blue collar town' that I live in, I charge a far lower
rate for my fees for my private practice than many others in my position...
simply because the market will not bear any more... making it very difficult
for me to make a living in this business.
 
Not only that, but I am again and again frustrated by my limitations as
*only* an IBCLC, especially with complicated cases that need medical
treatment (such as a frenotomy) or clients that come to me 2, 3, 4 months
into a chronic situation with layers of complexity often 'caused' by
inexperienced doctors or nurses.
 
So...once again... as I am wont to do every 6 months or so... I am exploring
my educational and career options.  I have vehemently resisted enrolling in
an RN program because I do not see the value in taking four years of my life
to obtain an RN degree that is broad and offers an over-all health focus
when it is lactation and maternal/child health that I am focused on.  Not
only that, but here where I live there are only two options for nurses who
have a lactation focus:  Perinatal ward (I am not interested in child birth
expertise, nor do I wish to focus only the neonate) and public health.
Public health would be a little closer to how I want to practice, but has
trouble of its own which I won't get into here.
 
What I really want to do is have a lactation clinic/practice that is
modelled on midwifery care, in which I see clients in their home and at the
clinic - depending on the situation - and follow them from the latter stages
of pregnancy until all their breastfeeding crises and questions have ceased.
Though many of you wise one might disagree with the need for that, I am
hoping that we can refrain from a debate about it, and rather that some of
you will weigh in to this discussion and share your opinion about some
possible pathways for me acheive that dream.
 
What I am currently thinking is a good option is to become a Nurse
Practioner with a pediatric or maternal/child focus.   NP's here are
considered 'one step down' from a medical doctor.  My own primary health
care provider is an NP.  NP's can prescribe drugs, and requisition tests and
xrays, can do pap smears, and over-all physicals, among other things.  I
don't know if they can 'cut into tissue' the way a physician can, such as
when needing to do a frenotomy, but if any one here knows that answer to
that, I'd appreciate hearing it.
 
To become an NP, I would first have to get an RN degree, work for a few
years, get a Master's in nursing, take some additional courses, and be
licenced.  All that would take me a minimum of 8 years.  When I was done, I
would be more than 50 years old and very likely heavily in debt due to
student loans.  But, if it is the correct pathway that would allow me to
have a stand alone lactation clinic/practice, I will do it.  What do you all
think?
 
Do any of you know of any other educational pathways for IBCLC's to increase
not only their eduction and expertise, but also their job opportunities or
clinic practice settings?  I have looked into Health Sciences degrees, Human
Services degrees, Social Work degrees, etc.  I have even considered
Occupational Therapy and Infant Development (which here in Canada is from
the Education/Teaching stream)... but nothing ever seems to be just the
right fit.
 
I am sorry for this long post, and I do appreciate your time.  I would LOVE
to hear from anyone who is willing to share their own
educational/professional pathway and from anyone who is willing to help me
decide the best course of action for me.
 
In gratitude,


Karyn-grace Clarke, IBCLC, RLC
HAPPY TRIBE CONSULTING
 <http://www.happytribe.ca/> www.happytribe.ca 250-739-3146

 

 

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