And I, first-hand, know of just as many, if not more, hospitals that simply refuse to hire a NON-RN IBCLC with many years experience (even though they are screaming for more IBCLCs, go figure). I have been round and round with ALL of the local hospitals in my area and not a single one will hire me without the RN. At every single hospital, I was told that they would hire a RN with NO lactation experience (but was willing to accrue the hours and sit the exam) over an IBCLC like myself with over 10 years experience *and* a Maternal Child Health degree (but no RN). So what am I to do? I am back in school to become an RN and eventually a Nurse Practitioner. BTW, I come from an LLL background (still am an active LLL Leader) so I'd like to think I'll make an excellent RN-IBCLC who actually has some decent counseling skills and won't be suckered into the 'medical-model' (I've already butted heads with a few instructors over the breastfeeding info...but that is a topic for another day!) And please don't tell me to become a Private Practice LC. I have tried that and it didn't work out. I have a family to feed and the overhead/time/etc to run a private practice simply didn't come even close to making enough money to cover my family's expenses with my husband's meager military pay. I don't know what the answer is here...I took the exam before all the new requirements and when A LOT more hours were required for LLL Leaders like myself (2500 for a Bachelors and 5000 for an Associates) but not all the 'heavy' education requirements were needed. Robyn Roche-Paull BS, IBCLC, LLLL Virginia Beach, VA Author of Breastfeeding in Combat Boots On Aug 9, 2011, at 10:05 AM, LACTNET automatic digest system wrote: > I know of several places in my region that would love to hire > IBCLCs; if the demand goes up and the number of IBCLCs isn't there to fill > it, what will happen? *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome