In a message dated 11/10/0 8:21:51 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< No one would
think twice about insisting that a speech pathologist or an occupational
therapist have an RN credential.  Why do so many insist that an LC have an
RN? >>

Because so many do. I think it is just the reality of the profession that it
is primarily LLLLeaders or RN's who become LC's. It is not typically an RN
who becomes a speech pathologist or an OT. These other professions are seen
as whole unto themselves, but LC is seen as an adjuct to a real profession,
such as nursing. It is not the fault of RN's or anyone else that it has
evolved this way.
    As Anthony Robbins says, if you want a better answer, ask a better
question. I think that so long as we spin our wheels on the "which is more
valuable?" vein, we are our own worst enemies. We all, RN or non-RN LC's need
to act as if this is a real profession. I do not think that if there were 2
OT's in a room that there would be a question among docs about which one was
more valuable b/c one had an additional accreditation. But, I don't think the
2 OT's would be debating it either. Why are we so busy arguing about it?
Because, IMO, we are insecure about our own profession. When people are
insecure, rather than stand together, they look for points of difference and
each tries to outdo the other. So, IMO, the better question is, how can we
all work to elevate our profession?
    I do not know the answer, but I do think it might be a more useful
question to apply our "collective wisdom" to. I may be one of the few
non-nurse LC's who has worked in a hospital in my area, so I think I do have
some broader perspective. This may not be a comfortable topic, but I do not
think the person who aplogized for "ruffling feathers" should not feel sorry.
We should allow our feathers to be ruffled. This is important if we are going
to really be a profession which protects and promotes the normalcy of bf,
rather than one that compromises ourselves away to be accepted.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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