Mary and Ellen, and others... With all due respect, we have been down the RN/non-RN IBCLC discussion before. I personally can respect both of your opinions because I exist on both sides of the fence. I became an RN after I had been an LLL Leader for 15 years, and an IBCLC for 10. Most of my impetus was because an LC without RN experience can barely get herself hired in any hospital in the State of Florida. Now that I have my RN, I can say that I learned much more about the human body, and hospital politics, but what I learned about lactation could barely fill a page in a text. The woman who did the breastfeeding demo for a 60 person class that was mostly impressionable females in their 20s taught it like it would have been taught 20 years ago. Baby with butt on the lap, touch baby's cheek with nipple so they turn, hold down your breast so baby can breathe! I was soooo upset that I corrected her in front of the group, but I couldn't help myself. All of her information was poor and antiquated. Our text was at least 10 years out of date on lactation info. Nursing school did not occur 10 years ago. I just completed RN licensure in April, 2005. Perhaps the place for Lactation professionals to infiltrate is the lactation component of OB programs for local nursing schools, and educating hospital administrators about the specifics of IBCLC credentials, and perhaps why that credential would more specific for a Lactation Specialist than just anyone with an RN? By the way, those of you who are thinking about getting an RN. Think twice. It is a tough program to complete with work and family. Now that I have my RN, I am getting the "overqualified" line and one local hospital cut me out of the interview process entirely just by claiming that they have the right to decide "what type of person" is conducive for their environment, and they are seeking other candidates. There is more to this than raw talent. Hospital politics are alive and well on those OB floors, and there is often a mentality to keep the enthusiastic types out. I would have more luck if I was a 24 year old with two years of experience in a podiatrist's office. We have a long way to go before our credentials are respected--at least in my area. Debbie Albert, RN, Ph.D., LMHC, IBCLC, RLC Tampa Lactation Counseling Tampa, FL *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [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(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html