Lactation/Childbirth Educator& L&D Job

palesarah · May 8, 2006

When I was applying as a new grad, I was told right out that my doula training gave me the edge over other applicants and was one of the reasons I was hired (I was still on the "B" list and wasn't offered a position until someone who was originally given a new grad job turned it down). Since you want to take these classes anyway, I don't see how it could hurt your chances of being hired- as long as they don't interrupt your school schedule and study time!

As for externships, it wouldn't hurt to apply and ask HR if there is any flexibility in scheduling. I would guess that the structured hours are due to either mandatory classes for the externship or the availabilty of the preceptors, and if either is true then they may not be able to be flexible- but it can't hurt to ask. The worst they can do is say no, right?

SmilingBluEyes · May 8, 2006

Sarah gave good advice. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

emh29 · May 11, 2006

I am pre-nursing right now, but plan to be a L&D RN (and maybe eventually a midwife?). I am finishing up the CAPPA CLE certification right now and I think it would be very useful for you. I enjoyed the training and there was a lot to learn, even for someone who has already breastfed two babies :)

I couldn't afford it either, so I hosted a program in the area and got to take it for free, just by setting up the arrangements and finding enough women to take the course. I would recommend doing that, if you can. There are still some other costs, but they're minimal.

I think it's great that you're a doula! I would love to become a doula, but my daughter is only 17 mos. and still breastfeeding at night, so I couldn't be on call for births right now. Maybe eventually..

CEG · May 12, 2006

I am pre-nursing right now, but plan to be a L&D RN (and maybe eventually a midwife?). I am finishing up the CAPPA CLE certification right now and I think it would be very useful for you. I enjoyed the training and there was a lot to learn, even for someone who has already breastfed two babies :)
I couldn't afford it either, so I hosted a program in the area and got to take it for free, just by setting up the arrangements and finding enough women to take the course. I would recommend doing that, if you can. There are still some other costs, but they're minimal.
I think it's great that you're a doula! I would love to become a doula, but my daughter is only 17 mos. and still breastfeeding at night, so I couldn't be on call for births right now. Maybe eventually..

Thanks for the info. I actually have two under two myself right now, so no doula-ing for me for a little while

I will look into that. I was planning to take the online course since there were none offered in my area, but maybe that would be the solution. Did you contact CAPPA through the website?

Courtney

emh29 · May 13, 2006

Thanks for the info. I actually have two under two myself right now, so no doula-ing for me for a little while
I will look into that. I was planning to take the online course since there were none offered in my area, but maybe that would be the solution. Did you contact CAPPA through the website?
Courtney

I think the only way that you can host it is if there isn't a trainer in your area (because if they live there, they're familiar with facilities and can find local women on their own). So it sounds like that might work for you.

I live in CT and the closest trainer was in Mass. I contacted her through the CAPPA site and asked her about the possibility of coming down to CT for a workshop and I could "host" it and she was very willing to do that if I could find enough women to sign up. They have to give a certain number of workshops per year, so it was helping her out as well.

The online course would have worked, too, but it's more expensive and I enjoyed the workshop, anyway

jacq821 · Jun 18, 2006

EMH - how many women did you need to gather up in order to host the class? I too live in CT and wanted to take the lactation/childbirth classes and know a few women that would be interested in taking it as well.

I just got hired in L&D, starting after I take my state boards, and wanted to get more education regarding what I will be doing in L&D. Plus, I eventually want to become a midwife, so I figure the more education I have, the better off I'll be.

If you could give me some advice on hosting a class, it would be greatly appreciated!!

emh29 · Jun 19, 2006

jacq- it's up to each individual trainer, but ours told me that she'd like to have at least 5 women to hold the 2-day lactation educator training, since she was coming down from Mass. for the weekend.

If you're interested, contact Kathleen Todd-Seymour through the CAPPA site. She's the trainer for Mass. but can work in CT, too. She is really sweet and will guide you in the right direction. Our seminar was great and she gave us so many business ideas, in case we wanted to go that direction with the certification.

Let me know if you have any other questions! :)

Congrats on your new job!!

jacq821 · Jun 19, 2006

Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly!!

I am going to send her an email to see if she would be willing to come back down to CT to do a class. Don't know if you've already done the Childbirth Educator Training, but if not, if I can get a workshop hosted around here for that also, I'll let you know!!!

THANKS AGAIN EMH!!! :D :D