Hospitals require their IBCLCs to also be RNs because it provides greater
flexibility for hopsital administrators.  An RN/IBCLC can be "pulled" to
work **as an RN**  in ER or post-op or diagnostics or whatever ... and all
the while, the hospital can happily trumpet on its website and marketing
materials that it has IBCLCs on staff.

It is one of the drawbacks of our multi-payer healthcare system.  Every
single person in every single corner of every single healthcare field here
in the USA is looking to make money, and save money.

This isn't universal.  When I am not seeing moms in my private practice, I
am a **non-RN** IBCLC working per diem in a large hospital, as a dedicated
IBCLC (as in: my duties are dedicated to lactation work). I am a preceptor
(mentor) in the lactation intern program at the same hospital.

When I served on the ILCA Board, I looked long and hard for that magic wand
that I could wave to "just make things happen," but sadly I didn't find it.
I will suggest, however, that starting with its vision statement and
working on down through its mission statement and strategic plan, ILCA does
nothing *but* serve in an education and advocacy role so that IBCLCs are
recognized and valued as the stand-alone credential and profession that we
are.

I can't speak for IBLCE, the separate, independently-accredited certifying
organization.  But it is focused more on certifying IBCLCs (worldwide) ...
who then find themselves swimming in unsettled, ever-shifting employment
waters.

Being an IBCLC is not for the feint of heart.  Almost all of the "advocacy"
must occur in the moment, one-on-one, by the individual IBCLC ... standing
(and smiling) toe-to-toe with the administrator, or family, or colleague,
or funder, or public health commissioner, or insurance company
representative, who do not (yet) understand the role and impact of the
IBCLC.

And to that end, I am a great fan of ILCA's "Position Paper on the Role and
Impact of the IBCLC," freely downloadable to anyone, to use in advocating
for our stand-alone profession:
http://www.ilca.org/files/resources/ilca_publications/Role%20%20Impact%20of%20the%20IBCLC-webFINAL_08-15-11.pdf
-- 
Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC, FILCA
Wyndmoor, PA, USA
Secretary, U. S. Breastfeeding Cmte (2014-16)
IBCLCs empower women and save babies' lives!

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