In a message dated 96-12-29 00:04:36 EST, Terriann writes,

<< Sorry not to share the enthuiasm about creating an "LC intern"
 designation.  I feel that adding another "title" would confuse the
 medical profession and parents even more. >>


You have a valid concern, Terriann, but the other issue is this:  what are
people supposed to call themselves who have, say, gone through a lactation
management course, perhaps complete with an exam, and are now working on
their experience hours?  I do like the idea of Student Lactation Consultant
-- for those that are in a program (BSC's Track I can take up to 2 years to
complete; or home study followup after the 6 day program can take up to a
year), and LC Intern for those that have completed a program and are now
working on their experience hours -- or, perhaps completed their program in
October, and will not be able to sit the exam until July.  In a sense, they
are all students as they continue to study and gain experience.  But it is
nice to differentiate between those that are currently involved in specific
coursework and those who have completed their coursework and are biding time
until the exam.  For the moment, those that are in any of BSC's courses are
"Student Lactation Consultants" those that have graduated are "Graduate LC's"
(though I like the designation "LC Intern" a bit better since some brilliant
person brought it up a few days ago (take a bow, whomever you are!!).

As far as accreditation is concerned, although ILCA is discussing how to
accredit programs, there is a mechanism for accreditation already in place
through the Distance Education & Training Council (DETC).  Distance learning
IS the wave of the future.  Accredited programs can also receive college
credit recommendations through the American Council on Education's PONSI
program.  If any of you are interested in learning more about this, you can
contact Judi Lauwers from BSC at [log in to unmask]  She has not only gone
through the accrediting process with BSC, but is currently in the process of
assisting DETC with accrediting other programs.

As for the other terms (lactation therapist, specialist, counselor, educator)
well, I think those ARE confusing.  What is the difference between a
Lactation Therapist who is IBCLC or a Lactation Specialist who is IBCLC or a
Lactation Consultant who is IBCLC?  At least Student LC and LC Intern explain
that you are still in the learning mode and haven't completed your
education/board exams yet.

It would be simple if there were university programs all over the world --
two or four year programs that had a specific curriculum, and within that
curriculum, you had specific clinical hours.  And at the end of those 2 or 4
years, or whatever was determined to be appropriate, you would have an AA in
Lactation, or a BS in lactation; you would be graduated & qualified to sit
for the board exam.  In Jill's four year BSN program, I have estimated she
will probably have a sum total of a bit over 350 clinical hours (and I think
that number is high....before you sneer, that's higher than most 4 year BSN
programs).  After graduation in May (Lord willing....) she will be a Graduate
Nurse, sit for the board exams, (pass them, we hope) and then will be a
Registered Nurse, licensed to practice in the state of Illinois.  And her 350
supervised hours is spread over ALL the disciplines, including all of OB,
Pediatrics, medical & surgical nursing, home health, psychiatry, and
community nursing.  The IBLCE is requiring a minimum of 2500 (for a
bachelor's degree) unsupervised hours in breastfeeding management alone to
sit for an exam that is only on breastfeeding.  Would it not be better
perhaps, if the number of hours was reduced, but the requirements were made
more stringent, such as x number of hours or experiences working with mothers
and babies from birth to 2 days; x numbers from 2 days to 2 weeks, x number
of babies with suckling difficulties, x number with low weight gain, etc.
 That would spread the experiences around, so that someone couldn't garner
their 2500 hours solely by working in L&D and helping mothers with initial
latch on and first bf, and never seeing a baby who is an FTT at 3 months?  Or
working with a premie?  Or a mom who is severely engorged?????

Thoughts to ponder on a wintery day...

Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC
Wheaton, IL