Again, this is the type of discussion that those not in the US might not find useful/interesting...but I thought I'd give some insight from my experience. When a union is involved, there are additional issues besides licensing and scope of practice. Our scope of practice and our licenses might say we can do xx or yy - but if the union agreement says we ONLY do this or that based on our job description as was agreed to in the contract between the union and the organization we work for, we are obligated to stick this agreement (unless we get a special arrangement) - or we could be branded as "scabs" and "union buster" and the employer can get into very hot water! Unions try to keep positions separate so that they can protect and/or increase the number of positions and assure jobs and salaries for their members. If you can hire an IBCLC who will also do the work (some of the work) of a nurse, then you need (in the aggregate) fewer nurses. Of course in emergency situations, there is usually not a problem (in fact in my Union's agreement with the Department of Health, it clearly states that we can be asked to do ANYTHING in an emergency - as long as it does not go beyond our scope of practice or put us at risk (in other words, they need a translator, or they need someone to direct traffic, not a nurse - I do that job even though I'm employed as a Public Health Nurse). Is there a way to discuss this with the union rep and management so that you CAN take orders? It depends on the Union and Management - but it's more complicated than just what you're licensed to do! Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC ...and union member because I'm REQUIRED to be one in both of my last two jobs... California, USA *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome