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.
