I wrote this earlier this morning and have sat on it all day. As I read it
over, I see that I have not said anything inflammatory or unkind. But I am kind
 of surpised that no one else has posted on this.

Valerie,
Your statement re: "donating" your IBCLC to help this student avoid a
lawsuit may place you at risk for one. While your "I fight authority" stance is
noble, and hopefully done in the spirit of fellowship for a new member-to-be of
our profession, you may place yourself at risk for this statement. It cheapens
 the credential and negates the importance of the time and effort made to
obtain  it as well as the value of having it. Saying this with over 2000
witnesses could  be regretable.

Could someone "donate" their RN, MD, RD, PT or other credential to someone
else? These are professional legal licenses and misrepresentation of such  can
place the user at risk for prosectution.  I've heard of "honorary"  titles but
I would not want someone who earned their certification by donation  as my
health care provider. Perhaps that is one of the problems with the IBCLC
designation. It is not a license and may not fall into that category of legal
defense but I wouldn't want to test it.

However, as with other certifications such as CCRN, RNC, CCE along  with
others not in the health care field, there are potential legal  implications for
mis-using these credentials.

Please tell me you were kidding.
Mary Kay Smith, RN, IBCLC, CCE
Canton MI

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