Jan says,
"Human nature being what it is, we are bound to take the path of least
resistance. And if I, as an RN, can count all the hours I've spent with
breastfeeding mothers and babies since 1972 (the year I first started in
OB), go to a few conferences and do a few ISMs to get my 45 hours then I'll
do it. I'm a good test taker and I'll pass the exam. Doesn't mean that
I'm a competent -- or even good -IBCLC. And I can still give dreadful
information to mothers. But hey for me, it was a piece of cake."
Jan, that is exactly the sort of thing that is going on with some who are
taking the 45 hour course. I know you lead such courses so you obviously
are invested in this means of educating the next generation of LC's, and I
know your courses are quite good. My concern, however, is that there are
some who are taking the course who are not committed to breastfeeding, but
are doing this at the behest of their employer, who indeed often pay for it,
or to enhance their private business. At least, if you were to "take the
number of hours you spent working with breastfeeding mothers", that would
signify two things. 1) that you are committed to helping breastfeeding
mothers (not just as a way of advancing your career or making money). Time
is money, so you've invested your own "money" in it. And conferences ain't
cheap, so you have actually spent your own money. All of these signify
commitment. 2) That you had to have gained some considerable amount of
experience during all those hours of assisting. There is no substitution
for such experience. Classes alone just don't cut it. I think your
suggestion of competencies after completing a course is on the right track.
Best of all, I think, is the type of thing doctors have to do, which is go
through a residency. That is, actually do the bedside, hands-on work under
the supervision of someone who is already certified, qualified,
registered...whatever. It should not take 10 years to qualify to sit the
exam. But, neither should it be attainable in one short year, from start to
finish. And that is what we have seen happen. I heard stories from others
in response to my recent posts along these lines. It's happening
everywhere. We have IBCLC's who don't have the experience to function in
this capacity. Sure they may be committed to breastfeeding, but if a mom
with a breastfeeding problem needed hands-on help, some could not give it
beyond the basics every OB nurse should know. That just shouldn't be.
Marsha, who jealously guards my credential, on which I spent considerable
time and my own money.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Marsha Glass RN, BSN, IBCLC, (and former LLLL)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future generations
as all other earthly causes combined. ~~~~~~~~~~John S. C. Abbot~~~~~~~~~~~~
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