In a message dated 6/24/2001 8:20:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > > Could we pul-eeeze change the subject? > > I would like to discuss practical ways to provide clinical mentoring > experiences to student LCs. Are any Lactnetters working systematically with > mentoring? What are you finding to be successful? > > Thank you Barbara. Don't know about how systematically we're doing, but at our breastfeeding clinic we have 3rd year residents, student RNs and LE students doing observations. They only come one time as part of their rotation, but I think for most it's quite an eye opener. Some of the L & D/PP nurses going after the LE, have had VERY limited experience with breastfeeding past the first few days. It amazes me the way the clinic works - sometimes we're so swamped that we can't get to people for a while. Somehow the moms begin chatting and the ones who have 'been there, done that' are sharing, listening to and empathizing beautifully with the new moms. Everybody seems pretty satisfied when they leave and many come back week after week for support with the 'problem of the week.' Not quite the mentoring I think you were looking for but...that's what we're up to here. We have each of the students fill out an observation form with mother's and baby's name, presenting problem, description of tx and questions originating from observing the consultation then finally answers to the questions they had. The feedback has generally been pretty good (a few disgruntled dermatologists, ophthalmologists, etc., who see little reason for having to be there.) As we open other clinics, there may be more structure to the mentoring. But for now, it's shooting from the hip and so far so good. Look forward to hearing what others have to say about this subject. Gretchen Andrews, BA, IBCLC [log in to unmask] *********************************************** 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