I have been an LC in New Jersey, Missouri, Puerto Rico and California.  In
every state there have been situations I've learned about where someone
"cheated" and was given the opportunity to take the test prior to getting
the full number of hours.

Does this mean we need to feel cheated?  Who is really being cheated is the
mom, and usually the "word gets out" who can REALLY help moms with
breastfeeding.  

In high school and college we heard of cheaters - why would we think there
wouldn't be any in our profession?

The reality is, there will be - always.

We should use our energies toward improving the methods of training LCs and
our profession, helping moms to the best of our ability - and being willing
to report situations of unprofessional behavior (IS the LC helping or
harming?) - remember we need to be "evidence based" on this situation also.
 

Perhaps we THINK someone cheated but they had additional experience in
another venue (as a volunteer, in another country, etc.)  Let's give
everyone the benefit of the doubt - and watch our own work.  That, after
all, is the ONLY thing we can truly be responsible for!

Off my soap-box (getting hard to breathe up there)!

Jeanette Panchula, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA  95687

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