thankyounurses727

Hi Everyone! Looking to the professional lactation consultant community for some career advise. I am a new grad nurse that has worked in a busy mother baby unit in the New England area for about 10 months. While I love many aspects of my job, juggling 3-4 patients and 3-4 babies at a time, especially in a high risk PP center, hasn't been exactly what I thought it would be. What I LOVE about my job, (and quite frankly, has kept me sane about my job), is the breastfeeding support I provide to my families. It truly brings me joy, interests me like no other and is a career path I could see myself following for the rest of my life. Sounds weird, but it feels like "home", working with breastfeeding mothers. While my ultimate goal is to become a IBCLC, I know the path to get there is going to take a bit. Based on my math, I have around 250 hands on breastfeeding hours---no where near the 1,000 needed to fulfill the IBCLC hands on criteria. I really can't see myself doing bedside nursing that much longer (the anxiety of postpartum hemorrhages, elevated blood pressures/seizure precautions in mom, pain control issues, etc)., and also have a rough commute at the hospital I am currently at. I am looking to make a change, and hopefully in a nurturing, breastfeeding role capacity, but not sure what my options are. Should I apply to get my certified breastfeeding counselor certificate? What are my chances of being hired as a CLC while I work towards my IBCLC? Thank you so much.