Can you be a Lactation Consultant but not RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in B.S. Psychology.

I have been trying to contact at least 5 area hospitals asking if I can start volunteering as a Breastfeeding Counselor so that I can collect my 2,000 hours needed to become an IBCLC. Does you facility employ lay IBCLC's or are they all RNs? I'm willing to take the specialized courses and do the time for volunteering, but I am getting no answers back from these hospitals! Please help! :o I've decided this is what I want to do, but if I can't get in a hospital as a volunteer, I will try for my Child Life Specialist Certification instead...

Rhonda

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I can't speak specifically to what you are asking, BUT: even LPN's are not permitted to initiate teaching. That is a function reserved pretty much for RN's. We can reinforce only.

What's an IBCLC?

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Specializes in B.S. Psychology.
I can't speak specifically to what you are asking, BUT: even LPN's are not permitted to initiate teaching. That is a function reserved pretty much for RN's. We can reinforce only.

What's an IBCLC?

IBCLC is International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. You have to meet certain educational requirements, complete a prescribed amount of experience depending on education and pass a board exam. They are allowed to teach, help diagnose and assist breastfeeding women. They can work in hospitals, for WIC, for LLL, clinics, etc. I know many RNs have this designation, so I'm afraid I will never be able to compete!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ED.

YOu might not be able to be IBCLC certified but you can contact your local WIC program if there is one in your area (not sure if its federal or state program). They have 'peer counselors' who help. Also you can call your local La Leche league. THey will help you get info and you might be able to help people thru their program.

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Yes you can be! :-)

If you need hours, you might try contacting a doula service and seeing if you can do some postpartum doula work as a volunteer with a certified doula, which would include breastfeeding support.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
They can work in hospitals, for WIC, for LLL, clinics, etc. I know many RNs have this designation, so I'm afraid I will never be able to compete!

Well, I almost got my certification as a non-nurse so I know that it is possible (I did not complete my hours because I ran off to nursing school and left my former employers). As far as being able to compete, I think you are correct at least in big areas and hospitals that have access to many RNs with the designation. On the other hand, smaller towns, small counties, small cities, small privately owned businesses, small hospitals etc. may hire someone with your credentials despite not being a nurse. Many small places have a need for a lactation consultant but they do not have the option to hire an RN with the designation. Thus, I suggest that you get to know your market and find out where you fit. GL.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

Philosophical,

Are you putting this on your list of careers to explore? Have you figured out yet what you want to do for sure? GaaLee!

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Specializes in ER OB NICU.

Here our lactation consu. is a young first time mom, just gave birth to second baby. She is not an RN> I know that many people get their pumps from county health dept. Why not contact yours, and see if they are interested. T

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Specializes in future FNP.
YOu might not be able to be IBCLC certified but you can contact your local WIC program if there is one in your area (not sure if its federal or state program). They have 'peer counselors' who help. Also you can call your local La Leche league. THey will help you get info and you might be able to help people thru their program.

LLL frowns on people becoming leaders in order to get hours for the IBCLC, or so I was told by my local chapter. I opted not to become a leader, but for other reasons.

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Specializes in B.S. Psychology.
Philosophical,

Are you putting this on your list of careers to explore? Have you figured out yet what you want to do for sure? GaaLee!

Yes, I decided I want to become a Lactation Consultant. If that fails, a Child Life Specialist, and if THAT doesn't happen, I'll go back for my Master's in Counseling :) Whew!

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Yes, I decided I want to become a Lactation Consultant. If that fails, a Child Life Specialist, and if THAT doesn't happen, I'll go back for my Master's in Counseling :) Whew!

You're young and you have a plan.

Sweet!

:)

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Specializes in B.S. Psychology.
You're young and you have a plan.

Sweet!

:)

Haha, thanks Sue :)

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