Lactation Consultant/Specialist

klone, MSN, RN · Feb 8, 2011

Specifically, look at "pathways"

anurseatlast · Feb 8, 2011

I am a student, waiting to start nursing school in September and I know that I want to get into L&D. My question is, should I use this time while I am waiting to become a lactation consultant? Will it help me get into L&D once I graduate?
I'd love your thoughts on this!
Thank you!

I am glad you are interested in learning about breastfeeding. New moms need all the help they can get. Becoming a lactation consultant is a very long process. You would not be able to do it by September. You have to have many hours of hands on training and you have to do in depth studying to pass the test. You could take the five day course that others have been posting aabout above. It certainly wouldn't hurt when it is time to get a job.

BrewerRN · Feb 8, 2011

The exam is only offered once a year; the last week in July. It is an 8 hour exam that is pencil and paper. It does not have title protection, but some states offer a registeration which helps weed out imposters. If some one is registered you will see IBCLC, RLC behind their name. A previous poster is correct, LC's do not make a lot of $$$ on private practice. Most insurances do not reimburse.

Devie06 · Apr 22, 2011

I don't know if the program is still in operation, but for several years I was a lactation peer support counselor for WIC. It was a lay position, and they gave the training. You could call the WIC offices. I learned a lot on the (part-time ) job.

Did you get paid as a lactation peer support counselor?

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 23, 2011

Devie, some do and some don't. Depends entirely on that county's health department. Some counties do not have a peer counseling program at all.

lvnibclc · Apr 27, 2011

I got my IBCLC this past year. It was very time intensive! My ultimate goal is to be an RN IBCLC in L&D or NICU. I am hoping that the IBCLC quality it will make me more desireable.

Devie06 · Apr 27, 2011

I got my IBCLC this past year. It was very time intensive! My ultimate goal is to be an RN IBCLC in L&D or NICU. I am hoping that the IBCLC quality it will make me more desireable.

How long did it take you? Are you in nursing school?

lvnibclc · Apr 27, 2011

How long did it take you? Are you in nursing school?

I am in school for my prereqs LVN-BSN but not in the core nursing program yet.. For the LC course it wasn't too long, took me 11 months from start to finish. But the clinical hours were alot for me with working, school, and beig a mom. Class was 2 days a month. Homework was doable. I went through UC San Diego's program which is great!

ifyouwereme · May 19, 2011

BrewerRN, FYI the new terms will be 1000 hours and 90, not 45 for the class! It's too late for this year's July test, I believe. Sux I know, but deadline to apply was March 31st! Someone correct me if I am wrong. I am a nurse, but no PP experience so can I do a different Pathway or am I screwed too!

proudmommy · May 19, 2011

Wow. Where did you find that information? WHat is the easiest and fastest way to get this done for a RN student?

BrewerRN · May 19, 2011

I knew that changes were coming, I just was not sure what they would include. You can find the pathways on http://americas.iblce.org/.

BTW, proudmommy, there really is no "fast and easy" way to becoming an IBCLC. You can chose to become a breastfeeding peer counsleor or lactation/breastfeeding educator. Both of these are less costly and you can complete these in much less time. Your local WIC office or La Leche leader can talk with you about becoming a peer counselor as for the Lactation/breastfeeding Educator you can go to http://www.birtharts.com/beced.htm. I really don't know much about this certification. One of our nutritionists took a lactation educator course through the WIC office and it was a 5 day class and 2 day clinical; no testing and no recertification. I know that one of our local hospitals did a breastfeeding educator course years ago because that's how I started and it was a 3 day class with 2 days of clinical; no testing and no recerticication needed.

BrewerRN · May 19, 2011

The requirements have really lessened since I went through the certification process. I had to have 4000 hour of documented counseling and 75 CERPs as a RN with the 8 hour exam. I just recertified with CERPs this year, so my next if have to recertify with the exam. I am seriously considering not recertifying again. The exam SUCKS!!!!!! So much worse that NCLEX-RN guys!