Allowing more than RN on name badge?

Nurses General Nursing

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Does your facility allow you to have designations other than RN on your name badge (such as RN, BSN/ RN, ccrn etc.)? our hospital does not allow this and it is a thorn in the side of some of the RN's I work with. there are a couple of nurses I know who have gone to hr and were able to sweet talked someone into making them a name badge with all the designations on it. one in particular was a new grad, hired the same time as 2 other new grads, who insisted that her name badge read "RN, BSN" and was able to have it changed.

Now, all the new grads in our ICU are BSN's because that's hospital hiring policy. the 2 other BSN new grads went to hr to have their name badges changed also, but weren't so lucky and were told "no" regarding additional designations. so . . .they went out and bought gold "BSN" tack pins and tacked the "BSN" pins onto their name badges (we aren't suppose to tack any pins onto our badges either).

Personally, I know I'm a BSN and I'm not concerned about having all the initials after my name. actually because I have two bachelors degrees I guess I could use bs biology, RN, BSN . . .now that would really confuse 'em! yet, there are others who think it is unfair not to recognize nursing educational achievements such as ccrn or cnrn etc. on the name badge.

Specializes in OB.

??? I work at a Magnet hospital and our policy is "RN" designation only (see first post of this thread). Does anyone know if the ANCC/ANA has published any suggestions/opinions regarding educational/professional designations on name badges??

My first clinical year was at a Magnet hospital. RN only on those name badges as well

Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.
I am wary of nurses who have more Initials behind their name than letters in the name itself.

Why?

Specializes in Emergency, Outpatient.

Here is an article from Nursing Spectrum http://community.nursingspectrum.com/MagazineArticles/article.cfm?AID=10625

"Besides the ANA, AMSN, and ANCC, more than 60 other specialty nursing organizations offer certification in everything from obstetrics and oncology to orthopedics. Each certification body abides by its own eligibility criteria-requirements that change periodically.

Pain Leads to Gain

For nurses who go through the certification process, their new distinction comes with something more than bragging rights: Added marketing value.

"Marketing myself as a certified RN isn't any different from our hospital's chief financial officer having the status of an MBA," says Michaels. "Certification is a way to tell patients that I've taken an extra step to be sure my care is super."

To help educate administrators and patients, key marketing begins with nurses themselves. Some actions certified nurses can take are --

Wear your credentials on your name badge, or wear a second badge referring to your title.

Sign your name and credentials on your patients' records.

Take the time to explain your credentials to those who ask.

Encourage your institution to reward certification monetarily and nonmonetarily.

Market the idea as a way to advertise your hospital's commitment to excellent patient care. "

Magnet Hospital Recognition is a credentialing process that signifies nursing excellence. It is associated with the ANA. In order to apply, a hospital

needs to validate their care standards. The ANA does an internal review, and a site visit.They look at practice at a unit level, and at the individual nurses level. They look at how research, quality improvement, shared governance, service strategies, and professional development are utilized. They also look at how you are linked to nursing schools and the community.

AACN's White Paper on Magnet Status

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/positions/hallmarks.htm

Differentiated Nursing Practice

Differentiated practice models are models of clinical nursing practice that are defined or differentiated by level of education, expected clinical skills or competencies, job descriptions, pay scales, and participation in decision making (AACN, AONE & N-OADN, 1995: Bellack & Loquist, 1999; Moritz, 1991; Pitts-Wilhelm, Nicolai & Koerner, 1991). Differentiated practice models have been implemented in acute care inpatient settings, rural community nursing centers, and acute care operating rooms (Anderko, Robertson & Lewis, 1999; Hutchens, 1994; Anderko, Uscian & Robertson, 1999; Graff, Roberts & Thornton, 1999; Malloch, Milton & Jobes, 1990; Milton, et al., 1992).

Evidence indicates that differentiated practice models foster positive outcomes for job satisfaction, staffing costs, nurse turnover rates, adverse events (i.e., patient falls and medication errors), nursing roles, and patient interventions and outcomes (Anderko, Robertson & Lewis, 1999; Anderko, Uscian & Robertson, 1999; Hutchens, 1994; Malloch, Milton & Jobes, 1990). Differentiated practice outcomes include the opportunity for healthcare delivery organizations to capitalize on the education and experience provided by varied educational programs leading to RN licensure. The registered nurse has the opportunity to practice to his or her potential, taking full advantage of educational preparation. Often, differentiated models of practice are supported by a clinical "ladder" or defined steps for advancement within the organization based on experience in nursing, additional education, specialty certification, or other indicators of professional excellence.

Specializes in ICU, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Med/Surg.

LOL...I don't need a reason, really. I was only being sarcastic saying "wary".... But isn't it really a bit humorous to see a name tag for example:

Jane Doe, RN,ABC,DE,FGH,IJKL,MNOP,QRSTUV,W,XYZ

Specializes in Peds.

Hi,

I'm all for allowing nurses to put up their degree of choice on their tags.

Every body doesn't have to do it - and those who want, should be allowed to do it.

For practical purposes, we could limit it to one/two degrees. You get to pick which ones.

It's none of anybody's "business" what your "degree" is/was. For official purposes, you have your designation "RN"... and that's good enough for a judge/jury! ;)

Thanks,

Matthew

Specializes in ICU, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Med/Surg.

I think the RN that moongirl described with the initials on her left boob is a most hilarious, but, very TRUE description. I have seen that myself...lol

I think RN is sufficient for those who have an entrance level degree (be it ADN, DSN or BSN), but if someone takes the time and care to achieve a higher degree or national certification, why not alow them to put it on thier badge?

All it can do is stimulate questions; perhaps spur colleagues into attaining more education, and helping our patients to realize that nursing is a VERY educated and specialized profession.

Here's one for you guys to ponder: I worked as a cd/psych counselor for about 7 years after I finished my M.A. in Counseling in 1990. I always signed "MA" after my name during that period since the degree was a requisite for the job. Now I've finished my ADN, passed the Nclex, and am working as a psych nurse/group therapy facilitator in an inpatient setting. I'll actually have the opportunity to utilize my previous experience and develop my psych nursing skills. What would you guys put on your name badges if in my position and given a choice?

Just a thought..... and I'm honestly grateful to finally be an RN!

Thanks a bunch :)

Here's one for you guys to ponder: I worked as a cd/psych counselor for about 7 years after I finished my M.A. in Counseling in 1990. I always signed "MA" after my name during that period since the degree was a requisite for the job. Now I've finished my ADN, passed the Nclex, and am working as a psych nurse/group therapy facilitator in an inpatient setting. I'll actually have the opportunity to utilize my previous experience and develop my psych nursing skills. What would you guys put on your name badges if in my position and given a choice?

Just a thought..... and I'm honestly grateful to finally be an RN!

Thanks a bunch :)

I'd use the M.A. designation, since it is a requisite for counseling, which is clearly part of your current job description.

With your previous background you are going to be an awesome psych nurse! In my opinion name badge should read:

drumwhacker, RN (sorry, couldn't resist)

Seriously, if I where you, my name badge would say the same thing it does now firstname, lastname, RN.

Just my 2 cents . . .

With your previous background you are going to be an awesome psych nurse! In my opinion name badge should read:

drumwhacker, RN (sorry, couldn't resist)

Seriously, if I where you, my name badge would say the same thing it does now firstname, lastname, RN.

Just my 2 cents . . .

. . . . and then there is the "first name/last name" debate . . . ;)

No last name on my name badge.

Back to the subject at hand. I guess we should each do what we want.

steph

Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.
I have a nurse in my home who does home care..she is a BSN & I only know after asking her......she said she doesn't see the point of advertising it because she is an RN first & foremost...........I used to waitress and actually had a lady sign her credit card receipt with RN MSN...................I kindly told her that wasn't legal on her credit card slip as it doesn't have RN MSN after her name on the card..................knocked her right off her pedestal

I doubt it had anything to do with pedestal - you sign your name that way so many times in a day that it jsut becomes habit. I have signed checks and written "RN" after the signature! :lol2:

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