Jan says:
 <<So you have someone take a one week course and she qualifies to sit
for the exam>>
 I am one of THOSE  R.N.'s , I took Linda Smith's and collegues one week
course and I "perused" all the recommended reading, if I remember it
took about two months plus, and I sat the exam and was proud of my
accomplishment, right  up to reading your post.
 Just what do you want me to do?. I don't intentionally give bad
information. I continue to read and attened conferences etc. I look for
conferences that would advance my learning.
 Advance practice conferences are scarce.
 I work at a hospital where  the consultant is a R.N., BSN and IBCLC,
don't forget the BSN, remember you need that and a masters degree to
pass a bed pan or help a mom latch a infant to breast, but only if their
"normal". You need a PhD if their not. I am neither, I am a two year
grad with 29 years of experience. I knew I could help moms and infants
breastfeed and in obtaining my IBCLC it gave me the credibility to be
able to go forth and do that.
 So please don't discount me, I can help and I know when to ask for
help.
 In changing your requirements don't do what nursing is doing, changing
the educational requirements to the point where those of us who are able
to do the job are left by the wayside because we don't or choose not to
get our BSN, Masters or PhD. ( I know that statement is a whole other
debate)  . We all have our frustrations and  perhaps the gift of
education is recognizing how little we do know, as I have realized, that
my 29 years of hospital experience does not help me with the nursing one
year old, but I have learned where to look for that information.
 So please don't discount this one week wonder with 29 years of
experience.

Frustrated in MIchigan