Lactation Consultants are treated poorly by nursing management - Lactation Consultant Duke Health Employee Review

Scheduling is quite flexible working 3 12s

Holiday pay is only for major holidays not Christmas Eve

The work is meaningful and the team consists of some highly skilled professionals who are dedicated to supporting patients, providers, and the organization. The role provides exposure to complex issues and opportunities for professional growth.

The department suffers from significant leadership and culture challenges. Employees are hired as experienced professionals but are given little autonomy to perform the work they were hired to do. Leadership frequently inserts itself into routine matters, creating unnecessary delays and fostering a culture of micromanagement rather than trust. Communication is inconsistent and often lacks accountability. Important decisions and changes are frequently communicated verbally without written follow-up, creating confusion and shifting expectations. Employees are expected to remember evolving guidance, identify leadership mistakes, and compensate for communication failures. There is a noticeable gap between leadership messaging and employee experience. Work-life balance, employee engagement, and professional respect are regularly discussed, but many employees do not experience those values in practice. Concerns raised by employees do not appear to result in meaningful change, contributing to low morale and diminished trust in leadership. Leadership often responds to issues by implementing department-wide restrictions rather than addressing the specific individuals or situations involved. As a result, high-performing employees are subjected to increasing oversight and reduced autonomy because leadership is unwilling to address performance concerns directly. Turnover, employee dissatisfaction, and leadership credibility have been ongoing concerns. The department would benefit from leaders who are willing to listen, communicate transparently, accept accountability, and trust the expertise of the professionals they supervise.