Med Surg to Lactation Consultant Advice

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Specializes in Med-Surge.

Hello Fellow Nurses,

This is my first time posting and I appreciate any responses. 

I am currently a nurse in a med-surge floor for almost a year and graduated last Winter from nursing school, but have always had it in my heart to work in L and D or Postpartum nursing and eventually become a lactation consultant. I unfortunately did not have much exposure during clinical rotations and after finishing school was offered a position in the hospital I work and the floor where I was previously a tech. I thought it would be a great opportunity to get experience.

I am grateful for the opportunities I've had here and feel like I have learned a lot but do not feel passionate about working in this floor.

For any RN lactation consultants out there, any advice on how to start this path? 
 

Thank you all! 

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Specializes in Mother Baby & pre-hospital EMS.

I am not a lactation consultant, but I would recommend starting to look for jobs in L&D and postpartum. I personally would recommend postpartum because a lot of what we do is newborn care education, a LOT of which includes bottle and breast feeding. We see lactation consultants all the time on our floor, so it would give you a good feel for what they do, and they are always happy to teach. ?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

If you're wanting to become an IBCLC, you need to first determine which pathway is most appropriate for you. Once you do that, I may be able to offer you some suggestions (I've been an IBCLC for 17 years).

https://iblce.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Which-IBLCE-Pathway-is-Right-for-Me.pdf

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Just be sure to check out the job market in your area first. 

Find out the qualifications for a lactation consultant in your hospital and other hospitals in your community. Every birthing center and hospital is different; some hire breastfeeding assistants or specialists who are not RNs. They can be techs, CNAs, or even unit secretaries who received some training.

Others may hire certified lactation consultants, but you do not need to be an RN to become certified.

Start by working in L&D or postpartum- these are very different specialties. From there, you can discover what you love and further specialize. 

 

 

 

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