On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 11:21 PM, laurie wheeler <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> My understanding is you do not need a degree but you do need to complete
> the
> coursework listed in the 8 subjects and 6 subjects.


This is my understanding, as well.  I am a LLLL and planning to take the
IBLCE exam in 2012.  I have an undergraduate degree and a law degree and now
I get to go back to school yet again!  I have 4 of the 8 classes from my
undergraduate degree, but I am enrolling in my local community college to
complete the remaining 4 semester-long subjects and 6 continuing education
subjects.  No actual degree is required of non-health professionals, just
coursework.

I have mixed feelings on the new requirements.  I know the intent is to make
the IBCLC more of a stand-alone profession, but the net result of the new
requirements will likely end up dissuading most of those in mother-to-mother
community helping roles from seeking certification, and risks even further
cementing the popular conception of lactation consulting as an add-on
nursing credential. At one point, I was even thinking, "heck, by the time
I've completed all of this, I'll have most of the prerequisites for nursing
school - should I just go ahead and get a nursing degree, too, to improve my
employment potential after certification?"  On the other hand, while these
new requirements are certainly an additional barrier to certification for
many, I can't help but think this extra coursework will help make me a
better IBCLC.  For example, studying breast anatomy is challenging without a
grounding in anatomy in general (learning that alveoli consist of epithelial
cells surrounded by myoepithelial cells doesn't mean a whole lot to me right
now).  Aside from filling out my Leader Logs, I know next to nothing about
medical documentation, so coursework there will help me.  I don't want to be
a minimally competent IBCLC when I pass the exam and start practice.  I want
to be the best I can be so that I am *really* helping moms.

Anyway, those are my thoughts as one whose plans were shaken up a bit, but
far from derailed by the new requirements.

-Kori Martin J.D., LLLL
Austin, TX, USA
mostly lurker looking forward to meeting some of my LACTNET heroes in San
Antonio next month!

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