Is it RN,BSN or BSN,RN - Page 2

In signing, be relevant. Authority to take orders over the phone, plan care, supervise, etc is granted by the licensing state and represented by the letters RN. Academic credentials are relevant in academia, as when writing papers or teaching.

I agree. It's been a while since I've done patient care ... but when I did, I just used LLG, RN. My academic degrees were not relevant. In a different context, when my academic education is relevant, I use them. LLG, PhD, RN

The hospital I work in has a "first name" culture ... and most people just call me by my first name. Other people will use "Ms." because I have some gray hair :-) and they know I am in a leadership position. However, those who know me just call me by my first name. When I teach at a local university, I suddenly become "Professor LLG" or "Dr. LLG." It feels weird, but that's the culture in that environment. I generally bend to blend in with the culture of my surroundings.

Here on allnurses.com ... I am generally known as simply llg.

If the license is the most important thing, why do physicians sign with their degree: MD or DO? I assume they are licensed to practice medicine, but they do not sign LP (licensed physician).

Well the original question was about nurses, not doctors. I don't think we need to compare ourselves to doctors. That said...
The way I see it, we apply for a license to practice either as an RN or LPN after we finish an accredited program. Some get an associate's degree, some a bachelor's degree. Doctors receive a medical degree after they graduate from medical school. If they pass their boards their license says physician. They don't sign LP because there is no license that says LP.

That is not the title of their license. Example from my state code, "Licensure of Medical Doctors"

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/04...chap17toc.html

When signing work-related documents, the most important thing about the signature is "RN" (or APRN or CRNP or other title indicating advanced practice) because you are functioning as a licensed individual practicing within the scope of practice of that license, as dictated by your state.

There's nothing wrong with also including your academic credentials if you wish, but it's not terribly relevant.

I know a nurse who signs hername, BSN. No RN. I picture her someday sitting in a deposition being questioned about her licensure, with her indignant reply, "of course I'm an RN." And the subsequent reply from an attorney, "well, how would we know that, when you don't sign your charting with RN?"

It's a forest-for-the-trees kind of thing ...

PHEW!!! talk about eating their young!! I dont belive you were trying to belittle those who didnt have their BSN nor were you trying to take a sobservient role by comparing us to doctors. (which, by the way, is PERFECTLY acceptable because you were trying to compare to another health profression that requires both a degree and a lisence) I think your question was how to sign your name in this new profession that im sure after reading all these ppl bickering your regretting getting yourself into in the first place. The answer is, it doesnt matter. sometimes I change it up to add a little spice to my life, though the RN is essential to protect ur hiney legally. I like the war RN, BSN looks and sounds. but if I were to advance my degree further, I think I like Monika McAwesome MSN, NNP.

Hope this helps and Congratttsss!

i agree..i laughed so hard at that "don't think you are better than adn nurses, bsn is a waste of time..."

the op did not insinuate that she is above and/diploma nurses. some of the responses were clear cases of inferiority complex + eating one's young.

I'm amazed at the lack of class and respectable answers myself!
Did anyone think that perhaps she was simply attempting to put her resume in proper format? And considering this economy, listing her Bachelors degree on her resume after her name would be correct, and hopefully a plus in her job search?
Regardless of her motives, that is not our job to assume and attack....
A nurse's postnominal (listed after the name) credentials usually follow his or her name in this order:

* Highest earned academic degree in or related to nursing (e.g. "MSN")
* Nursing licensure (e.g. "RN")
* Nursing certification (e.g. "CCRN")

So, for example, I am currently an RN, when I complete my bachelors degree next year (god forbid!), and attain my CCRN as I am a critical care nurse I would list like this:
BSN, RN, CCRN

You have your bachelors and RN, so you would list as this: BSN, RN
That is the formal, correct way.

And to the poster that said no one gets their bachelors unless they want to do administrative work, not true. I have many co-workers with a Bachelors degree, simply because they wanted it. I also work with floor nurses with Master's degrees. They love floor nursing, but they value education too.

Off topic, I know, but personally, RN is sufficient for me. The fewer pen strokes the better, I say.

To me, adding BSN is a little pretentious.

ava'smomRN,

I am two years late, but congrats on your big achievement! What a challenge!

Pretentious, hog wash! You know how hard you worked for that BSN, and in my opinion you should be darn proud of it.

I am sad to see that most our current peers seem to be either burnt out, or just plain miserable with themselves. Lighten up people! Can't you wish a fellow peer well in her achievements?

I sign BSN RN after my name, and darn right I am going to flaunt it! I was the one who worked by butt off for it, and had to pay for it. You should feel entitled to own the title you worked for.

Do well ava'smomRN with the higher education you have received.