How to Become a Lactation Consultant Nurse

Lactation consultant nurses teach new mothers how to breastfeed their newborns. The steps to become a lactation consultant nurse include education, testing, and licensing, after which lactation consultant nurses can pursue employment. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a lactation consultant nurse, and where to start.

Become a Lactation Consultant Nurse in 6 Steps

To become a lactation consultant nurse, candidates must first become licensed registered nurses (RNs). While not mandatory, they can pursue certification in a specialty after a few years of bedside experience.

Schooling Requirements for Lactation Consultant Nurses

Lactation consultant nurses must be registered nurses, a title earned by graduating with an ADN or a BSN degree.

Associate Degree in Nursing

An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become a lactation consultant nurse with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.

Lactation consultant nurses with an ADN may receive lower pay and may not have their first choice of positions compared to those with a BSN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future lactation consultant nurses a well-rounded education experience. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.

A BSN prepares aspiring lactation consultant nurses to handle a high level of critical thinking. This degree teaches high-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.

Lactation Consultant Nurse Licensing

Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Lactation consultant nurses must apply for a registered nurse license to practice. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.

NCLEX-RN

The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity

Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.

Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal

Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want to see proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.

In most states, RNs must renew their license every two years after initial licensure. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a wealth of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.

Specialty Certification

Some lactation consultant nurse positions require certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS). Additionally, lactation consultant nurses can also earn specialty certifications through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).

Where Do Lactation Consultant Nurses Work?

Lactation consultant nurses can find employment in a wide range of organizations. These may include:

• Hospitals
• Patients’ homes
• Trauma units
• Physician offices
• Lactation centers

FAQs: How to Become a Lactation Consultant Nurse

   1. What education is needed to become a lactation consultant nurse?

Lactation consultant nurses must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They can pursue a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

   2. How many years does it take to become a lactation consultant nurse?

The time it takes to become a lactation consultant nurse depends on which degree one pursues, but it may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree, plus bedside experience.

   3. What are the steps to become a lactation consultant nurse?

To become a lactation consultant nurse, candidates must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps and a few years of bedside experience, they may apply to lactation consultant nurse positions and pursue specialty certification.

   4. How much do lactation consultant nurses make an hour?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lactation consultant nurses earn an average of $45.42 per hour, which equals about $94,480 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.