I am not as familiar with the private practice situation now that I am a
hospital employed LC.  But I did want to respond to Debbie's remark that most
hospital LCs are RNs with ped or ob experience.  That is not the case
everywhere.  The hospital LC should be hired for her breastfeeding expertise as
documented by her IBCLC certification and breastfeeding-related professional
experience.

I am not an RN and have found that to be a positive, not negative.  Two of my
staff are non-RN and one is RN.  I have a request for an additional per diem
staff and RN does not enter into the job requirement, but IBCLC is required.
You may want to actively investigate the situation in your area.  I hope that
you will find that the lactation consultant is not lumped with nursing.  Or that
you can successfully advocate for the inappropriate situation to change.

Pardee Hinson