Hi, I am new to Lactnet and have been ejoying reading thus far.  I have a
question for all you LC's out there.  I'll start by saying that I am a RN
working only 8 hours q o week in advice.  I stay home with my 2 kids, ages 3
and 7 months(both breastfeed-still with the 7 month old) the rest of the time.
I really am interested in becoming a LC and have gotten a lot of information
as to classes that are offered and internships.  My question(s)-what is the
best way to go about this??  I thought the best way to go about this was to
take the week long class and then the internship program, but i've been told
that people usually take the class just before sitting for the IBLC exam.  Can
some of you expierienced LC's email me to let me know how you went about
getting your hours to sit for the exam/how you got your expierience, ect.  I
am also concerned about the job market in my area.  I live in Northern Va and
want to know what the market is like- it seems that now that I am interested
in this field that it may already be flooded here.  Also, what can I expect
once I become a LC.  I want to work from my home/doing home visits primarily,
so I can stay with my kids.  Will the income not be great enough so I will
need to work in hospital as well?  Please, if I could hear from some of you on
these issue I would greatly appreciate, thanks,Allison Guckert RN