Proper way to write title?

Agnus · Sep 20, 2006

I need to write credentials for someone properly for an ID tag, and while I know she's a nurse practitioner, I'm not sure how to write the title. Jane Doe, NP? Jane Doe, APN?

Ask the person who holds the credential and who will wear the name tag. You will get the most accurate answer from her/him.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Sep 20, 2006

I realize this, but I was hoping there was a standard answer--so that I didn't have to "bug" her! I already had a couple of exchanges with her and she seemed to be getting annoyed (nothing whatsoever that was my problem or my doing, but there it was) and I didn't relish having to ask her yet another question. I will if I have to, but....was hoping not to! :)

Trauma Columnist · Sep 21, 2006

There are so many different ways to have the nametag:

Jane Doe, RN, MSN, APN

Jane Doe, APN

Jane Doe, APRN, BC (what my state requires)

Jane Doe, NP

Jane Doe, FNP

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 21, 2006

And, another: Jane Doe, CRNP

Best bet? Ask her.

ERNP · Sep 21, 2006

There are certainly a lot of letters floating around these days.

When I was in school one of my preceptors told me the appropriate way to sign my name after graduation and passing the cert exam was "name, RN, MSN, CS". Then after I passed my certification exam the letter said I should sign, "Name, ARNP, BC".

A co-worker was of the opinion that I should sign "Name, FNP"

The state has licensed me as "Name, APN"

I read an article that was lamenting the use of alphabet soup and suggested "Name, NP" should be sufficient. Being somewhat rebellious this is what I use.

My name tag, however, is quite simple. It has a picture that wouldn't even be fit for criminal booking procedures. Under that is my first name only. No last names in ED (and yes I have had an unfortunate soul look up my phone number once when I was required to have a last name visible). Under my first name it says nurse practitioner. I think it is simple, straightforward, to the point, and difficult to misunderstand.

Epona · Dec 23, 2006

Hi all. I was wondering myself.... I have a BS and will be getting my BSN. Say I pass boards then become an RN. I really don't want to discredit the BS I already have as many classes I took for that were in Biology, Pre Med and will transfer in for my BSN degree. So I am just asking... how would I write my name, or if I get a badge, how should it be listed??

Jane Doe, BS, BSN, RN

Is that right??? :icon_idea: I am curious......

GardenDove · Dec 23, 2006

Hey, I was a CNA, then an SN, and now am an RN! So, would my title be GardenDove CNA SN RN? :lol2:

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2006

Hi all. I was wondering myself.... I have a BS and will be getting my BSN. Say I pass boards then become an RN. I really don't want to discredit the BS I already have as many classes I took for that were in Biology, Pre Med and will transfer in for my BSN degree. So I am just asking... how would I write my name, or if I get a badge, how should it be listed??
Jane Doe, BS, BSN, RN
Is that right??? :icon_idea: I am curious......

I've seen different kinds of articles/references for this, and they seem to suggest that you are correct in placing the degrees first, then the license after them, but just know that it's commonly done in reverse in nursing.

Katnip, RN · Dec 23, 2006

The formal, "proper" way of adding an alphabet soup is: titles that cannot be taken away easil.

That would be your degree. Then licensure, then certifications.

So it would be Jane Doe, MSN, NP

Of course it's a given if she's a nurse practitioner that she already has at least a Master's then you could just do NP.

This is how it's done in most professions, including law and academia.

Epona · Dec 23, 2006

Ok. I think I have it. So since my BS was different then the BSN (Broadcasting and Biology and I don't want to neglect that degree since I earned it)..... it would be Jane Doe, BS, BSN, RN in cronological order from earliest to last. I think I have it.

BIG THANKS everybody!!! Epona :)

xptp29a · Dec 24, 2006

Ok. I think I have it. So since my BS was different then the BSN (Broadcasting and Biology and I don't want to neglect that degree since I earned it)..... it would be Jane Doe, BS, BSN, RN in cronological order from earliest to last. I think I have it.
BIG THANKS everybody!!! Epona :)

I, too, will have a bachelor's degree in biology next December. After that, I hope to go on to get either an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing. In my case, though, since my biology degree will have nothing to do with my nursing degree, I feel it will have no place on a name bage when I work as a nurse. My credentials for nursing will be earned in nursing school and by passing the Boards, not from a past degree.