Want to be an IBCLC but getting scared I won't find a mentor in time

[Ophelia]

I did computer technical work for 18 years and needed to make a complete change. After much research I settled on IBCLC (lactation consultant). It's what I want to do in my heart.

I'm trying very hard to be positive, but I'm having a hard time finding IBCLC's that I would need to mentor me. I have 3 possible right now, but those aren't for sure. If I cannot get a chief mentor AND my application for training in by Sept. 30, the requirements change after that it's going to be even more difficult. I currently do not have a degree and haven't worked in a health field so I have to do Pathway 3.

Most IBCLC's around here seem to be hospital based and the problem with that is I don't know if the hospitals will let me get my clinical hours in since I do not already work there (HIPPA and liability and all that). I've contacted 9 IBCLC's so far and the list is getting shorter. Some I haven't heard back from at all.

I'm just so scared that I won't be able to do what's in my heart just because I cannot find someone to mentor me

Are there any IBCLC's here?

[Peony]

I sat last month for the exam but I went through pathway 1. Going through pathway 3 in a hospital can be daunting if you are not enrolled in a program that takes care of logistics for you, HIPPA, insurance, etc... not to mention that there are limited IBCLCs who can even mentor through pathway 3. Private practice IBCLC are a much easier sell, that bites that there are limited options for you. Pathway 1 isn't just for medical providers, I am an RN but I didn't use it to get through pathway 1, I worked as a breastfeeding support counselor and got my hours that way, but with the guideline changing it would take longer then 2012. 2012 doesn't mean that you can't become an IBCLC, it will just involve more work which could be good for someone who is coming from an non-medical background.

I'm sorry that I can't help with logistics, pathway 3 is just an entirely different animal. Good luck.

[purplevega]

I am also doing pathway 1. I have been a LLL leader for 5 years so that is how I got my mother baby hours. I would just keep calling IBCLC. I am sure someone will help. Good luck. I also plan to sit for my exam next year and am finishing my LCERPS now.

Kim

[Ophelia]

Thanks! I talked to someone yesterday and it sounds like she is willing to be a mentor. Now, if she is willing to be a chief, which is what I need for the app, then I'm all set. But we need to figure out compensation, and I have no idea what to offer her for hourly wage. I don't know where I'm going to get the $$ from, but that's another issue. Only have a small amount of emergency cash (laid off work for a few months now), and I doubt I could get any kind of grant/scholarship/loan because it's not like taking a college course.

Did any of you have a mentor that you paid?

And yes, it's limited as to which IBCLC's can help me, they have to be recertified and I think also practicing for at least 5 years. And there is another one that would also be willing to mentor me, but I think it's at a hospital and yep, they won't let me do it because I'm not part of a program.

Oh, and if I get approved, I am going to be taking the 2012 required college courses at the same time, since I do not have a health background.

[bobandjess99]

Have you really looked into the pathway? It's going to take a very long tim, with no pay, for you to get IBCLC. And teh job market is..almost non existent. Especially for a non-nurse. Hospitals won't hire you. You coudl technically hang out a shingle, but with most insurance not covering it, what would you hope to earn?

I understand having something in your heart you want to do, but it looks like you have a child and a newboirn, and are out of work. This is not really a "career" you are pursuing...not one that can easily support a family anyhow. Now, if you do not need to support your family and are doing it for simple personal fulfillment, that is one thing, but thinking of it as a family-supporting career is definitely different.
Have you considered maybe actually doing nursing school first? then you have a much easier pathway, and much better actual employment potential when you are done.
I hate to throw wet blankets on people, but the sad realitry is we can't always afford to chase dreams when we have mouths to feed.

[Ophelia]

Well, I defintely cannot do what I was doing before, for several reasons which I don't want to post publicly.

Yes, I have thought about and read about doing nursing school first, however it isn't something I am even remotely interested in doing, for several reasons. Including I couldn't handle the 'gross' stuff. Or is there some kind of nursing school where you don't have to do all that? And I thought I would have to do the full RN, isn't that a 4 year degree?

Not sure how much time you mean by 'very long time', I was hoping no more than a couple years.

I had the career choices narrowed down to IBCLC, Montessori teacher, or open a retail store. We ruled out retail store, and I know I would do much better as an IBCLC. I also have looked into nutrition but would also rather do IBCLC.

[sparklefairy]

In my area, the hospital only hires RNs to do lactation work. How successful one can be in private practice will depend on a lot of things.

Originally Posted by Ophelia

Well, I defintely cannot do what I was doing before, for several reasons which I don't want to post publicly.

Yes, I have thought about and read about doing nursing school first, however it isn't something I am even remotely interested in doing, for several reasons. Including I couldn't handle the 'gross' stuff. Or is there some kind of nursing school where you don't have to do all that? And I thought I would have to do the full RN, isn't that a 4 year degree?

Not sure how much time you mean by 'very long time', I was hoping no more than a couple years.

I had the career choices narrowed down to IBCLC, Montessori teacher, or open a retail store. We ruled out retail store, and I know I would do much better as an IBCLC. I also have looked into nutrition but would also rather do IBCLC.

[purplevega]

My area also only hires RN that are IBCLC. There are IBCLC in my area that are not RN and work for WIC and private practice. Not sure how much they make a year. Being an IBCLC is more about doing it because you love it not for the money. Hopefully you will get everything worked out. We need more IBCLC in this country. Good luck.

HAPPY WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK!!!!!

Kim

[Ophelia]

Thanks, yes I know the hospitals generally only hire RN's which is why I figured I would be in private practice. I never said it would be easy, but my concern is just not being able to find someone to mentor me so that I am approved for training. I don't want to be held back just because of that.

Actually, what I would also love to do which would be a complement/supplement is a postpartum doula. Of course, still self-employed. I need to get through IBCLC training first though and see how it goes.

Being an IBCLC is more about doing it because you love it not for the money. Hopefully you will get everything worked out. We need more IBCLC in this country. Good luck.

Thanks! I figured if other people can do it (IBCLC w/o RN), then I can too. It's just a lot more challenging and more logistics to figure out. For Pathway 3 the minimum hands-on clinical hours is 500.