Spin-off Q

[MindOverLaborDoulas]

So, I opened a whole can of worms with my other question about being certified and letting it relapse but still using your letters.
Here I want to get a similar response cause this question is for me.



Can I put Ashley Wright Avington, BS, (DONA)?

Or even without the BS?

(go ahead, I opened myself up to that one! )

But do you see what I mean? Since I have been trained through DONA and I am a member of that org, can I put (DONA) after my name or not and why?

[dorothyh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindOverLaborDoulas So, I opened a whole can of worms with my other question about being certified and letting it relapse but still using your letters. Here I want to get a similar response cause this question is for me. Can I put Ashley Wright Avington, BS, (DONA)? Or even without the BS? (go ahead, I opened myself up to that one! ) But do you see what I mean? Since I have been trained through DONA and I am a member of that org, can I put (DONA) after my name or not and why?

I am trying to figure out what BS is...Birth Support?? Bachelor of Science?

Using the (DONA) implies that you are certified through them and I think would be confusing. Plus I'm not so sure I'd want to use the initials BS, people might think that is stands for soemthing else....

If you are not sure, ask DONA. If they say it is ok, then go for it! Otherwise I would stick with something like:

Ashley Wright Avington, Professional Labor Support
Member of DONA

[fearlessbirth]

I do see what you are asking but I do not think you can 'legally' do that. I know in DONA's cert packet they have a very specific way you can present their initials and the criteria you have to meet (of course cert'ing and recert'ing). However, I put DONA-trained birth doula after or under my name and that may be just as illegal, but I'm thinking not since it's merely a statement and not initials alone. Does that make sense?

[MindOverLaborDoulas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorothyh I am trying to figure out what BS is...Birth Support?? Bachelor of Science?

Yes, it's Bachelor of Science.

[MothertheMother]

First of all, what is the BS in? If it is related I would add it, if not leave it off. If you have a BS in Art History, for instance, someone would probably think you are trying to sound more important than you are. But, if I remember correctly at least one of them is in psychology which I think is relavent. So, my 2 cents is

Ashley Wright, BS
DONA Trained Labor Doula

[jesscardona]

Do you know what the BS really stands for??

[1stimestar]

Nope. You can put "DONA trained" or "member of DONA". And it is only customary to put your college degree initials after your name if you have a Masters or Doctorate. Sorry.

[MindOverLaborDoulas]

See- you guys know all the answers!!
Thanks!

[jesscardona]

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindOverLaborDoulas Yes, it's Bachelor of Science.

Recently I took a Professional Practice class in which it was explained to me that you should only use those initials if they apply to your current job or if you put an explanation in there.

For example:

Michelle Hardy, M.S., CLD, CPD
Education, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula

This makes it clear that my masters is in education and not in doula work, so no it would be wrong to add BS unless it is related to birth work or you clarify (I didn't know that until recently LOL)

[syncreo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula Recently I took a Professional Practice class in which it was explained to me that you should only use those initials if they apply to your current job or if you put an explanation in there. For example: Michelle Hardy, M.S., CLD, CPD Education, Labor Doula, Postpartum Doula This makes it clear that my masters is in education and not in doula work, so no it would be wrong to add BS unless it is related to birth work or you clarify (I didn't know that until recently LOL)

Hey Michelle - do you have a Master's in Education? I do as well - mine is in Adult Ed. with a focus on Community, International and Transformative Learning. I focused my last portion on issues related to Childbirth.

Oh yeah, and I agree with what was said about using DONA, although I think whether you use BS (wouldn't it be B.Sc?) is really more up to you and what you feel it communicates.

Cheers,
Shawna

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by syncreo Hey Michelle - do you have a Master's in Education? I do as well - mine is in Adult Ed. with a focus on Community, International and Transformative Learning. I focused my last portion on issues related to Childbirth. Oh yeah, and I agree with what was said about using DONA, although I think whether you use BS (wouldn't it be B.Sc?) is really more up to you and what you feel it communicates. Cheers, Shawna

Well, I am on the other end of the spectrum and have my masters degree in elementary education - reading and literacy. I wish I would have done adult education, but can't change that now.

[syncreo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula Well, I am on the other end of the spectrum and have my masters degree in elementary education - reading and literacy. I wish I would have done adult education, but can't change that now.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread but...just wanted to say I believe all of our past experiences are still part of the journey to why we do what we do. I bet your master's in elementary education adds a whole other dimension to what you do - even if it isn't somthing tangible per se.

I look back at my education and work life and I remember at times wondering what the heck I was doing this or that for. I was all over the place. I had a B.A in Psychology, with a Minor in Women's Studies, started pursuing Community Development, did volunteer work overseas in Comm. Dev., almost applied to Midwifery school, decided to do my M.Ed instead, worked in training and dev. related to Addictions and Mental Health, worked in training and dev. related to Social Housing, got married, had 2 kids and knew Doula work and CBE were the right path for me. Looking back I connect the dots and each and every one of those experiences is something I draw on now, but at the time I thought I was a bit of a flake
I just find it interesting the jouneys different people take in their lives.

Ok enough of my personal tangent...back to Ashley's post. Sorry

Cheers, Shawna

[Kalamazoo Doula]

Awesome way to think about it Shawna!