I am an RN, IBCLC since 1987, previously ASPO certified, etc. In 1994, I chose to get my bachelors' in something other than nursing - Human Resources Management. My degree had equal parts management and psychology. This degree has been SO useful with lactation, including the parts on counseling. Sometimes I wish I had gone for my BSN in nursing then a master's but the education I got was better from this degree. I am too old to pursue any further degrees. I will take the exam this year. I agree with the idea that LC needs to be a stand-alone profession similar to OT and PT and believe it will go there. I agree there is enough material to be learned, especially if we include info from OT and PT and Nutrition which all fit into the picture. I foresee a time when such a degree will be available - but for that to happen, there has to be adequate compensation and recognition. Who can spend $75,000 acquiring a degree where they can't make money enough to pay it back? There is ALWAYS a money angle to everything! In the meantime, until I retire, I'll keep my IBCLC by passing exams, keep learning and helping the 1000 or more moms I personally see every year! Let's not forget why we are here and waste too much energy. By the way, if I want to go back to an RN role, I have to do a whole LOT of re-training. So even if I am grand-fathered in as RN, I really couldn't function well in ICU any more. That's how it goes when you specialize! Jane *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html Mail all commands to [log in to unmask] To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask]) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask]) To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]