In a message dated 2/1/02 12:17:11 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> The only advantage I see to that
> is the RN can be pulled to staffing as a RN. But I don't see any skills
> needed as an IBCLC that are exclusively RN skills.
>
> Barb Whitehead, BS, IBCLC
> Eastern NC
>
Barbara,
I agree, but hospitals that are severely RN understaffed claim that
they need the "versatility" of an RN. What they are really saying is that if
they want the LC to do RN duties than if they hire an RN, she will be be able
to do them.
I am not knocking the capabilities of an RN. To the contrary, I think
that the whole lactation consultant field has blown it to some extent.
Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists do not have to have RNs
because they have attended college programs for their specialties. In order
for the Lactation Consultant field to get the same "prestige" we need to have
two and four year degree programs. In order for medical institutions to take
us seriously--we will have to become more serious.
Don't get me wrong, I have IBCLC certification and a Ph.D. in
counseling, but as I continue working in this profession, I am constantly
being asked the same question: "Why don't you have an RN degree?" According
to most hospitals, you are not an LC unless you are an RN also. I know that
I am a terrific LC despite the fact that I have no RN, but there are very few
medical institutions that would even consider my resume once they discovered
that there was no RN on it!
The way I see it, we have basically two choices: (1) IBCLC certified
individuals without RN degrees must become more politically active, and
attempt to increase the prestige of having and maintaining this
certification--specifically with the medical community, or (2) accept the
fact that IBCLCs need RN degrees in order to obtain most LC positions in the
U.S. (which is basically the case at the current time).
-- Debbie Albert, Ph.D., IBCLC, LMHC Tampa, FL
***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
