In a message dated 6/5/2005 9:03:09 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I've had people say to me "how does your hospital dare to have a non-RN doing hands-on clinical work with patients?" I don't know why this would be a problem when (as others have pointed out to me) occupational therapists and physical therapists, for example, are not nurses either The only thing I can think of that would separate a non-RN IBCLC and various other therapists would be a licensing governing agency that dictates a "scope of practice" An RN can perform hands on clinical work because it is in his/her legal scope of practice. An OT, and PT and ST also provide hands on clinical work that is in their legal scope of practice. Many things an OT can do, an RN cannot and vice versa. As has been discussed in here previously, there really isn't any governing agency that dictates that scope of practice for a non RN IBCLC. In California for example, my license (and my scope of practice) is dictated by the California Board of Registered Nursing. If I do something not in accordance with that scope of practice, for example, intubating a patient, I lose my license and can no longer practice. I feel that this protects me and my patients from care that is less than appropriate. I am NOT saying that a non RN IBCLC is any less qualified to assess and treat problems than an RN IBCLC is, there is just a liability to the hospital or agency with the scope of practice. I know plenty of Non RN IBCLC's and they have helped me personally and others. A good friend and colleague on the local breastfeeding coalition is an RD who will be sitting for the exam next month. I am learning plenty from her. I believe that her scope of practice dictates how "hands on" she is allowed to be with her clients (through WIC). I think I would support IBCLC's having a governing body in each state, be it through the Dept of Public Health or what not, that would state a legal scope of practice that would protect the professional, the agency that employs that professional, and the client. There I said it...now I am sure I am gonna hear it lol. Renee Drake RN CLC *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html