Alphabet Soup of a Title

[jfmDNP]

I've heard from many others referring to the acronyms used by nurses after their name as being an alphabet soup, and I agree. It's superfluous. I understand that not all RNs have a BSN and not all APRNs are NPs or CRNAs. But wouldn't it serve to better succinctly clarify our title by limiting it to a single acronym?

As with physicians, one can be a pediatrician, rheumatologist or dermatologist and still be John Doe/Jane Doe, MD. It's a given that an NP is an RN/BSN with a minimum masters degree and is also an APRN. And now with the DNP, it's understood than an NP with a DNP is all those other things mentioned with the added educational accomplishment. What's the point with writing Jane Doe, DNP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-C, APRN, MSN, RN (While their colleagues just write Jane Doe, MD or John Doe, PharmD)? Why not just be John Doe/Jane Doe, DNP? I find even adding FNP, PNP, AGACNP, CNM, PMHNP excessive, so I typically shy away from writing it after my name.

Any thoughts on this?

[llg, PhD, RN]

The reason I include my credentials on my ID badge is not for the patients (except that it may help them to know that I am a scholar and project coordinator and not a practitioner). It is so that staff members who don't know me can see who I am.

I work in a facility where the use of first names is common -- so that is what people call me, my first name only. But when I meet strangers, it is a courtesy to them to let them know who I am without making a big deal of it. By looking at my badge, they can see what department I am in and have a clue as to my "rank" in both the formal and informal hierarchies that exist in any community. With the information on my badge, nothing has to be said while we all continue to use our first names and maintain friendly working relationships.

In that way, it is sort of like putting a bell on a cat. The cat may feel proud of his bell -- but the real beneficiaries of the bell's presence and function are the birds.

llg, PhD, RN, NPD-BC

[jfmDNP]

14 minutes ago, llg said:

The reason I include my credentials on my ID badge is not for the patients (except that it may help them to know that I am a scholar and project coordinator and not a practitioner). It is so that staff members who don't know me can see who I am.

I work in a facility where the use of first names is common -- so that is what people call me, my first name only. But when I meet strangers, it is a courtesy to them to let them know who I am without making a big deal of it. By looking at my badge, they can see what department I am in and have a clue as to my "rank" in both the formal and informal hierarchies that exist in any community. With the information on my badge, nothing has to be said while we all continue to use our first names and maintain friendly working relationships.

In that way, it is sort of like putting a bell on a cat. The cat may feel proud of his bell -- but the real beneficiaries of the bell's presence and function are the birds.

llg, PhD, RN, NPD-BC

It's certainly acceptable to add PhD after your name and appropriate to add RN to distinguish you from a someone with a PhD in sociology or molecular biology for example who's not an RN as most RNs who get their PhD get a PhD in nursing.

As for me, I simply write "jfm, DNP" - plus you can only write so many letters after your name on a lab coat. But mostly, patients know me as the guy who writes RX, interprets their ECGs, does a bit of neuro and MSK exam here and there and tells them to follow up in 2 weeks, with a smile on my face of course.

[amoLucia]

Thirteen.

I remember noting the creds behind some CEU author I was reading at the time. Yep, thirteen. The author was quite knowledgeable but all the clusters of degrees & certs was just so over-the-top.

I'm sure the author was proud of her education & experience, and I also recognize educational accomplishment. But I was NOT so overly impressed as she must have been of herself.

(I remember in 1979 writing my new BSN, RN, C after my name and how it looked so fluffy & smug. Only did it a few times more afterwards.)

[WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS]

I"ve been wondering about this, too, as a new APRN. I have a few important certs and am working on another. I got them in pursuit of knowledge/expertise that benefits my practice and hopefully makes me more competitive. But I don't want to put them all behind my name. I figure, it is something that needs to be considered in context. If you are speaking at a critical care venue or published in a CC journal, people are going to be interested in your clinical credentials -esp any that pertain to what you are speaking/writing about. But in everyday practice, I think less is more.

Also, having both RN and APRN licensure listed seems redundant - is there ANY state you don't have to have an RN license in order to have an APRN one?

Now on the resume? That's the place to list every one of them!

[jfmDNP]

1 hour ago, WestCoastSunRN said:

I"ve been wondering about this, too, as a new APRN. I have a few important certs and am working on another. I got them in pursuit of knowledge/expertise that benefits my practice and hopefully makes me more competitive. But I don't want to put them all behind my name. I figure, it is something that needs to be considered in context. If you are speaking at a critical care venue or published in a CC journal, people are going to be interested in your clinical credentials -esp any that pertain to what you are speaking/writing about. But in everyday practice, I think less is more.

Also, having both RN and APRN licensure listed seems redundant - is there ANY state you don't have to have an RN license in order to have an APRN one?

Now on the resume? That's the place to list every one of them!

Actually I've kept my resume and cover letter to the minimum requirement. In fact I was just offered and accepted a competitive position. The docs et al. who interviewed me made comments of my educational achievements and level of motivation. They simply just needed to read my cover letter, look at my resume and speak with me to know that I was the right fit. So no need to flaunt the entire alphabet after my name.

I recently read a post from a resident doctor's page taking a jab at our string of As and Zs after our names. They don't seem to be impressed either.

7 hours ago, amoLucia said:

Thirteen.

I remember noting the creds behind some CEU author I was reading at the time. Yep, thirteen. The author was quite knowledgeable but all the clusters of degrees & certs was just so over-the-top.

I'm sure the author was proud of her education & experience, and I also recognize educational accomplishment. But I was NOT so overly impressed as she must have been of herself.

(I remember in 1979 writing my new BSN, RN, C after my name and how it looked so fluffy & smug. Only did it a few times more afterwards.)

This is what I'm talking about. It borders on titular obsession.

[J_W, DNP, APRN, CNS]

Just be sure to check your state BON requirements for what needs to be included behind your name. I'm sure every state is different.

[egg122 NP, MSN, APRN]

On 5/25/2020 at 1:07 AM, ArmaniX said:

I only list the important stuff.

Armani MSN CRNP AGACNP-BC Honor Roll Student (2nd grade).

LMAO!! Mine would be EGG122, APRN, ANP-BC, RN, MSN, BA, RN Dipl., HS graduate, middle school success

I am starting to see some MDs start to list every credential the same way (including undergrad degrees). Unfortunately I think the trend is catching on...

[DrCOVID, DNP]

https://www.nursingworld.org/~48fdf9/globalassets/certification/renewals/how-to-display-your-credentials

[PollywogNP, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, NP]

@llg What is an “NPD”?

@jfmDNP But the DNP is your degree, & does not tell us if you’re FNP or other specialty.

Its worse in academia, many could not understand that it was redundant to put RN after FNP. It’s also redundant to say -BC since everyone is board certified in NP world. However when a physician is Board Certified it indicates a fellowship or other training.

Can’t count the number of times journal authors have letters behind their names that no one but they know what it means. It’s proliferated by certifications being offered for things such as some weekend course.

[murseman24, MSN, CRNA]

For resume purposes or professional engagements like speaking arrangements directed at industry specific personnel I feel it is fine to write the CCRN-CMC cert if you're giving a talk on how to use an Impella or LVAD and the audience understands your credentials.

In the hospital setting I think we should be succinct. For APRNS: Jane Doe, CRNA or NP or CNM. Everyone else should be an RN. It should relate to your clinical position. No one cares if you're an ADN, PhD, or MSN if you're performing the same functions at the bedside. It should be a quick identifier for patients and personnel to briefly understand your role.

[jfmDNP]

23 minutes ago, PollywogNP said:

@llg What is an “NPD”?

@jfmDNP But the DNP is your degree, & does not tell us if you’re FNP or other specialty.

Its worse in academia, many could not understand that it was redundant to put RN after FNP. It’s also redundant to say -BC since everyone is board certified in NP world. However when a physician is Board Certified it indicates a fellowship or other training.

Can’t count the number of times journal authors have letters behind their names that no one but they know what it means. It’s proliferated by certifications being offered for things such as some weekend course.

MD, DO, PharmD, DNP, DPT are all degrees with specialties. Typically in the hospital setting you'll see John Doe, MD Cardiology or Jane Doe, DO Orthopedic Surgery. The same could be utilized by NPs/CRNAs/DNPs - John Doe, NP Family Medicine or Jane Doe, DNP Pediatrics (it's a given only FNPs or PNPs work in pediatrics).

[Guest1144461]

The MDs I see with anything extra maybe add MPH or FACS/FACP. NPs in the inpatient world mostly just use ARNP (at least in my state), no one cares if you have a MSN or DNP.