Chris Cramer
RN / Lactation Consultant
Hospital
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Degree that was science related.
Did volunteer work at a Women's Clinic while in college.
My son was in the NICU (intensive care) after his birth.
Had worked many unfulfilling jobs & decided to go back to school for Nursing.
Worked for a year on a surgical unit not liking it.
Pestered the manager on the mother / baby unit until she let me transfer.
Saw a job listing for a childbirth educator and applied with no experience and got the job.
More education to become a Lactation Consultant.
Education
High School
Career
RN / Lactation Consultant
I help new moms gain confidence with their new baby, especially with breastfeeding.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Medicine
Helping People
Day to Day
Every day is different for me. I teach new parents a variety of classes before the baby is born. I work with the new parents in helping with breastfeeding while they are in the hospital and also in a clinic once they have left the hospital. I also answer calls on a Baby Hotline from the new parents with any kind of questions they might have offering advice and reassurance.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
I could have chosen any of those fields to put in, whether still in school, or already out pursuing another career. It all starts with the passion to do something. Then find people to talk to who can answer your questions and give you insight into what the job entails. Try to even job shadow.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"You should find something to fall back on in case something happens to your husband. What????!!!!"
