what is rule for placing acronyms behind one's name?

[lmz]

Does anyone know the rule for putting acronyms behind your name? I have a BSN. I got that first, then the RN. So am I BSN, RN? Or RN,BSN? It's confusing, since there are so many RNs who have returned to school to get their BSN (RN,BSN?). And what about specialty designations such as CCRN? Any help from some of the seasoned nurses out there, would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[lmz]

This was very helpful, especially your reasoning. And it seems that the majority agrees with your analysis. So this is the example I will follow. BSN, RN....

[Katnip, RN]

I was about to say what Karen said. That's what we were taught in our resume class. Put the credentials least likely to be taken away first. So your degree would come first, then RN. After that, certifications and such if you want.

Most hospitals I've seen do it the opposite way though.

[Nemhain]

In the hospitals I've been in it is ALWAYS (for nurses anyway) your license RN then your highest attained degree RN, MSN ...and not RN, MSN, BSN At one hospital if you did bedside nursing and weren't a manager you could only have RN behind your name and NOTHING else. The DONs reasoning was "all bedside registered nurses have the exact same scope of practice in this hospital".

[June55Baby]

Actually, you should put your highest degree first, followed by your license, then certifications in the order your received them. Your degree is first because it is yours and cannot be taken away from you, your license and your certifications can be revoked and therefore are usually listed after your degree. You will always have your BSN but your RN and other certifications can be taken from you...

So it would be BSN, RN, CCRN, so on...

Hope this helps...

I like this response JWRN, in school we were told you should list in the order received. I received my BSN in May 19-- and received notice that I passed State Board Exam (now known as NCLEX) and could now use the title RN in Sept 19--. So I always wrote BSN, RN.

I start and end with the RN. The rest of the alphabet usually stays in my file cabinet and picture frames.

Really, when I sign medical records I just put RN, but for correspondence, business cards, curriculum vitae, etc, I put all the letters there. Hey! I worked HARD for that degree and I'm proud of it!!

[markjrn]

I start and end with the RN. The rest of the alphabet usually stays in my file cabinet and picture frames.

This is a VERY cool attitude!