Hello This is my first foray into the discussion although I have been listening and learning for several weeks now. Therefore I will start by saying that I am a BSN RN IBCLC at Arkansas Children's Hospital. My primary patient/client source is in a level 3 NICU. I am not a mother nor have I ever breastfed although I plan to do both someday....... This discussion sounds familiar with a little different twist. As many nurses will note there has been a similar discussion concerning RN's (Diploma, AD,BSN,etc.) for many years. My personal opinion is that the more you come to the table with the more likely you are to get the job in this time of downsizing and cutbacks in the work place. The employer will get more for their money if you are qualified to do more than LCing. I know that I am called on to make assessments concerning neonates and mothers that had I not been a nurse with NICU experience would have been difficult without assistance. That is not to say I could not have learned them, it just put me ahead of the game. On the other hand I am not a mother and do not have personal experience to draw on. This concerned me for a time until it dawned on me that several of our leaders in this field had never breastfed either. Thanks for allowing me to share. Janet Bryant RN, IBCLC