Anyone working for WIC?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have just started a new position as WIC coordinator. I am interested in any thoughts from others positive and/or negative. Thanks!

Specializes in Psych/Rehab/Family practice/Oncology.

Everyone, thank you for your posts! I got a little bit different slant than I hoped for, which was who of you have actually worked or are working for WIC, and also, what problems do you encounter? As far as social programs go, I like the fact that we DO encourage breast feeding, but we're NOT the WIC police, so if they choose not to breast feed, they are offered formula. We have no way to tell who is trying to circumvent the system, selling formula or other groceries for cash, smokes, beer, etc. As I understand it, the food stamp program is terribly abused, but WIC has more safeguards built into it, no junk food, etc. Yes, true, some cereals have more sugar, and juice is being over used in general. The new food list came out this month with Harvest Surprise, which I understand is a veg/fruit combination. True, no organics allowed, but even I can't afford them, though it's what I would prefer. Social programs in general are a hard pill for me to swallow. That's just how I'm wired. I do like that they phase out of the program, it's not forever. Also, what I've observed is that most of the moms genuinely want to do right by their children, but believe me, we have some who just think we should provide ALL their groceries, while they continue to have children they can ill afford. In our clinic, we just try to keep our heads above water, and keep our patience, giving service with a smile. Also, we do give nutritional guidance, but I know they would just prefer to get their checks and get out! We get some eye rollers! Thanks to all and please share your thoughts, and would especially like to hear from those working for WIC.

Specializes in med/surg, psych, public health.

I work in WIC as a CNA2/phlebotomist and before vouchers can be given out, we do well baby/child checks which include: ht, wt, head circumference, and plotting their growth charts, blood lead testing & Hgb and immunizations (by RN) as well as counseling by a RD.

Blood leads are done starting at age 1 with a second one done at age 2. Doing the Hgb varies according to age and visitations.

We do all of the above (except BLT's) for pregnant moms and post-partums too.

Nutrition, diet and breastfeeding are all strongly encouraged. Breast pumps and pre-natal vitamins and iron tabs. or gtt are given out if needed.

I love working in WIC but there are many RN's who have been burned out by it.....they tell me it's because of obnoxious screaming kids, repeat teen moms and non-compliant pregnant mothers who drink/smoke/use drugs and then there's the whole illegal aliens using our tax $ with their "anchor babies" issue that really ticks a lot of the nurses off.

But I love working in WIC, I guess it's because I get a kick out of the kids (literally sometimes) no matter how they act. :lol2:

Also, some days can really be hectic due to patient overload!

What is "anchor babies" ?

Specializes in NICU.
What is "anchor babies" ?

Babies born here in the US, to illegal immigrants.

Specializes in med/surg, psych, public health.

Thus making the illegal immigrant parents "anchored" to America by having a baby born here that is considered an American citizen.

In WIC we see a lot of illegal alien parents (with no social security # card on their charts, & the info. on charts will say country of origin -Mexico) but their American-born children will have a social security #

and the state where they were born.

Specializes in Psych/Rehab/Family practice/Oncology.

Well, thanks to all posters, but hold the applause, I didn't have the stomache for this job. I felt like a libertarian in a socialist environment. We were in with Headstart, Early Head Start, Healthy Families, etc. People wanted me to be on this and that committee. Someone called me wanting referrals for their program Parents as Teachers. They apparently try to get the ones that don't meet the income guidelines for the above three programs. They were concerned with keeping their funding if their enrollment numbers didn't go up. I'm like whoopy, maybe your program isn't needed then, maybe pay the taxpayers back some of their hard earned cash. Everyone wants to be on Headstart, "free" daycare! Qualify for foodstamps? Automatically qualify for WIC. TANF, Medicaid? You bet! This will really offend a lot of people probably, but I went to an employee carry-in, went down the line, and finally on the 9th dish I found something half healthy to eat. It was our fruit plate from WIC. We sat down to eat and I looked around and observed a whole bunch of really obese social service ladies getting fat, literally off the taxpayers dollars. I realized this is not me, I don't want to be a part of it. I know we were helping some people who genuinely were trying to help themselves through WIC, but I felt we were being taken lots of the time too. Also, I was being asked to do things by the state that I didn't believe in, like sanctioning vendors for having a WIC shelf tag out of place. Good grief! I was actually told by one state employee to "make the vendors feel as stupid as possible, so they don't make the mistake again." I am not saying that these programs haven't done some good, but build it and they WILL come and they will keep on coming! Well, that is how I feel. Thanks for listening!

Specializes in OB L&D Mother/Baby.

Sorry to hear things didn't work out.

Specializes in Psych/Rehab/Family practice/Oncology.

Well, it's been more than two months since I left the WIC job, and I still thank myself every day! I am totally going to stay away "hoop jumping." I NEVER WAS ANY GOOD AT SPORTS!

Specializes in NICU, Mother-baby, home health care.

I'm hoping to work for the WIC Overseas office here in Germany, however I have to wait until I graduate with my BSN in October. :( I have 8 yrs experience with NICU and mother-baby, and I've always enjoyed helping mother's with their breastfeeding experience. There is currently a position available in Sept, so I hope it remains open until October. :) I really am praying hard for this job, and I would love to hear any other nurses experiences WORKING for WIC. I'm not a "pusher" for breastfeeding, though I strongly support it. I breastfed my son, however I would never push someone to breastfeed because it isn't for everyone. I wrote a research paper on WIC and how it negatively effects the numbers in breastfeeding. I believe that if there isn't nurses/nutrionists in the office that are not educated on breastfeeding teaching etc, then that's where most of the mothers may take the easy way and switch to bottle feeding. Even as a nurse, my first weeks of breast feeding were difficult, but I never forgot my nurse/colleague telling me "Give it 3 wks, that's all you'll need" And she was right. With the proper support and encouragement, breastfeeding can be a positive and successful experience for most people, not all.

Specializes in LTC.

I go to WIC. I felt very guilty but my dad pointed out I should use the services if I qualified considering we all pay into taxes. Anyways, where my dr. didn't have time to talk nutrition WIC did. They taught me so much! Also I bought a hand pump when I returned to work. I soon realized that a hand pump would not work while working full time. I called every place I could think of that might rent pumps. No-one is this small town did. I finally called WIC and asked if they rented breastpumps. They said only if I was a client of theirs. I said I was asked how much per month. I would have payed any amount under the sun as it was a last resort. They said for free. This was a service that was SO nice!!! A hospital grade medela pump. I loved it! I do get the formula and we do breastfeed. I get the full 9 cans per month and we use all of them up and sometimes go buy formula. This is such a help!!! I'm not your average mommy on welfare. In fact WIC is the only state assistance I use. I work full time and often times pick up overtime (as a nurses aide) but I NEED WIC and I qualify so I use it!

Specializes in OB L&D Mother/Baby.

I don't think you should feel guilty at all using WIC. I mean it's there for a reason. I think more people could actually get it if they knew the qualifications.

When I was pregnant with my last baby we were doing breastfeeding coalition meetings with the WIC girls. The one suggested that I apply even if I knew I was going back to work. She said that even if I qualified for the 12 weeks I was off it was still a good idea. And they liked to get their numbers up. I ended up getting "disability" pay though so between my husband and I we didn't qualify.

Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

sadly, my grandson qualifies for wic..my son is in the army, and my d-i-l works part time, and they still make little enough to qualify. what does that say about our country?

i worked public health and we shared the building with wic--have to agree with the out-of-control kids, rampent fraud, and entitlement attitude. my d-i-l says she will not let the little guy play with the other kids at wic appointments, due to their agressive behavior, lack of hygiene, and apparent state of permanent mild illness..:no:

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