Marilyn
In regard to what we wear: we usually wear scrubs like the rest of
the OB staff.  This way, if a baby spits up, poops or pees on our
clothes, we can just change-not necessarily an option if we're
wearing our street clothes!  I personally also prefer to wear a Lab
Coat, first as a place to carry stuff, second to help identify who I
am (I have my name and "Lactation Consultant" embroideried  in black
on the front.  It shows better than the name tag which often gets
turned around) and thirdly because it sets the LC aside from the
rest of the staff-not because we're "better", but because we have a
different role.  Patinets and visitors who see me at the nursing
station are less likely to expect me to answer nursing (as in RN)
questions.

In terms of being expected to take on other nursing duties, that
must be frustrating.  I was originally a staff nurse on the same
unit, but haven't had anyone expect anything except LC work from me
since I changed "hats."  I think they are so glad to have someone
else work with the breastfeeding challenges they don't want to rock
the boat.  I never give them much of a chance-if I'm on the unit
rather than in the LC office I'm either working with a patient, on
the phone, doing charting, or doing informal staff education.  The
only time I would do other than LC work is in a disaster situation.
If we ever have one of those (or during a drill) our role would be
to answer patient calls as much as we are able until the nurses are
again available.

I think the secret is to keep busy (and on those rare occasions you
aren't truly busy with LC stuff, LOOK BUSY or take the opportunity
to do informal staff ed).

If you let people take advantage of you, they will.  Value what you
do.  There's always more you can be doing to help breastfeeding moms
directly or indirectly and leave the staff nurse duties to the staff
nurses.

Winnie Mading, IBCLC, glad to be exclusively functioning as an LC
after 10 years of wearing both hats.

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