I have always had some difficulty with this. Many exam qualified LC's do
not have enough experience. However if they start in a small practice this
will develop and they will definately learn as they go. But there is a big
difference in the hiring of an experienced LC to run a busy hospital based
clinic and practice and one who has just qualified and passed her/his exam.
Do our employers always know the difference?  I am not sure what the answer
is?

I had some difficulty recertifying at the 5 year mark because of workshop
type cerps, but if recertifying is to keep us on our toes than I did not
think that just re-writing the exam would help me as much but it certainly
would have been a lot cheaper. I chose the ILCA conference and am so glad I
did but am probably still paying for this 2 years later. The presentations
of the many many knowledgable people were so great and networking has gone
on via email ever since.

What about someone actually doing a video instead of slides of those
difficult, oft not seen cases. The interview plus the visuals would be great.

I myself have always had a great difficulty writing exams and unfortunately
have passed this on to several of my children even though we were all
breastfed. I have some good knowledge and experience and seem to have an
extremely busy and still growing clinical practice. I never feel I know
enough but realize that it is an ongoing learning process, but I just have
a great difficulty writing exams so am not looking forward to my 10 year
re-cert.

Many people are great exam writers but are they nescessarily good
practitioners? I passed the LC exam but I wouldn't say that I was very near
the top of the class world-wide.

Sorry for the lengthy note. Can't even say that its my 2 cents worth,
Coming from Canada I'll that this was A loonie's worth of thought.

Attie Sandink RN. IBCLC.