IBCLC ?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I posted this in pediatric nursing because I couldn't find anything breastfeeding related (I could have simply overlooked it) but I'm finishing up my senior year of nursing school and I want to become a Lactation Consultant (RN-IBCLC). I know there's a licensure exam and multiple pathways, but I'm not sure of how to get the lactation specific education hour requirements and the International exam board states that they do not provide nor endorse any educational videos, institutions etc. Has anyone gone through this process before? If so how did you go about doing it and where did you receive your lactation training to be eligible for the exam? Thanks :)

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Moved to OB/GYN forum.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Are you asking about the education or the consultancy hours?

You can get your education hours through Health E-Learning Breast-Ed courses. Just google that and it will take you to where you need to go.

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It mentioned that I would need to obtain 300 hours of direct clinical supervision and 90 hours of lactation class, so who would I report these to and how do I prove it? Like do they need to be documented and signed off on? I just don't know how to show that these were completed or how to see if my particular education and clinical experience meet the particular criteria it needs to.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Which pathway are you using?

The lactation specific education, you need to submit proof of completed class.

The consultancy hours (wow, only 300 needed? When I first took the exam 10 years ago, they required a minimum of 2500 hours, and I needed 4000 hours because I only had an ADN), unless it's changed, you keep a log and your nurse manager signs off on it.

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I'm sorry, 90 hours lactation specific classes and 1000 hours clinical experience, it's pathway #1 for health care professionals. Did your employer help you complete the process and submit your paperwork? I think that's what's confusing me, the organization is so large that I'm not quite sure how to contact or report to them. And it seems like info off of the website is constantly being updated and changed. If you don't mind me asking, what department did you work at prior to taking your exam? Did you always want to be a consultant?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

When I did it, my employer did not assist in any way, other than my manager signing the log sheet attesting to the hours I claimed on the job. Is there not an application packet or something at their website?

I took my exam in 2007 (back then it was pen and paper, offered once a year on the same day all over the world, at the end of July). I had worked in OB (both L&D and mom/baby) since I became an RN in 2006. The vast majority of my consultancy hours, I obtained through being a La Leche League Leader, which I did for 10 years (1999 through 2009). I knew I wanted to help other women breastfeed shortly after my first child was born in 1998 and I discovered La Leche League. I became a Leader when he was about 18 months old, and after doing that for a while, I decided that I wanted to become an IBCLC. At that time, without any other degree of any kind, the fastest/easiest route to becoming an IBCLC was to become an RN. So I decided that I would go to nursing school in order to facilitate getting my IBCLC. In 2004 I started nursing school, graduated in 2006, and then sat for the IBCLC exam in 2007.

As a manager, I don't do much with it anymore other than oversee our lactation department and assist them with policy development.

Sorry, that was probably more than you wanted to know.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Okay, I just went to the IBLCE website and the application process seems pretty straightforward. Do you have specific questions about the process that maybe I could help you with?

Are you hoping to apply for the April 2018 test date?

https://iblce.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/credential-manager-guide-for-initial-candidates_2017.pdf

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No that's exactly what i wanted to know, thank you. That's extremely similar to my situation actually. Had a baby in 2015, wanted to be a lactation consultant, went back to school in 2016 and finish in 2018. That's why I'm trying to get this application process figured out now because I want to get the needed experience while I'm in school and sit for the exam as soon as I graduate, or around that time. And thank you for providing the link to the PDF, I feel like I'm just swimming in information when I go to the website.

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You can also get experience / hours by volunteering at any midwife run clinics or breastfeeding groups (even hospital based groups). Many appreciate the assistance and are happy to teach.

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