Credentials question

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

It is my understanding that credentials should be displayed as the highest degree, RN, followed by certifications in alphabetical order. Is that understanding correct?

If yes, what is supposed to happen if the highest degree is non-nursing and the next degree lower is nursing? I.e., I'm considering going for an MS in Palliative Care, and I currently have BSN. If I went in that direction, would it be MS, RN or MS, BSN, RN since that the master's degree is not in nursing?

Thank you.

[beekee]

https://www.nursingworld.org/~4abf5a/globalassets/certification/renewals/DisplayCredentials-Brochure

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

MS, BSN, RN would be correct. I work with a nurse who has an MBA, and she uses MBA, BSN, RN.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Agree with Pixie: MS, BSN, RN

It's a minor pet peeve of mine when I see "RN, BSN" or even worse "RN, MSN, BSN"

[MunoRN, RN]

Typically you would list your highest degree, not the highest followed by second highest followed by third highest, etc unless you have other degrees in a different field. You wouldn't put "Jane Doe MSN BSN ADN, it would just be Jane Doe MSN.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Your answer makes sense if the highest degree is nursing. If the highest degree is non-nursing the party seeing the degress may miss that the person has a higher degree than ADN. I.e. MS, BSN, RN vs. MS, RN where the latter has the reader wondering if the highest ** nursing **degree is only AD or diploma.

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

I had no idea that they need to be in order. In my previous career (a subspecialty in finance), nobody even puts BS, MS, or MBA behind the name. People only put worthy certifications (e.g. CPA, CFA) behind their names. In fact, I don't put my MS behind my name because it's a masters in finance and has absolutely nothing to do with nursing.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

I had no idea that they need to be in order.

Me neither, and quite honestly couldn't care less how the alphabet soup behind my name appears

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

It is always the highest degree first, regardless of the nursing relevance.

For example, I have a Master's in a non-nursing degree, plus a certification in nursing

It would look like this RNNPICU, MS,BSN, RN, CERT ---- My certification is not CERT, but I abbreviated certification to illustrate.

If I were to do a Ph.D it would be

RNNPICU, Ph.D, MS, BSN, RN, CERT

[broughden]

I had no idea that they need to be in order. In my previous career (a subspecialty in finance), nobody even puts BS, MS, or MBA behind the name. People only put worthy certifications (e.g. CPA, CFA) behind their names. In fact, I don't put my MS behind my name because it's a masters in finance and has absolutely nothing to do with nursing.

I dont know what the nursing "culture" is but I agree with this. Nursing is a second career for me.

However, the practice of listing your degree behind your name is generally tied to a career where you are licensed and the degree is part of that license, ie MD or BSN, RN. So I would not put MBA behind my name upon becoming an RN, anymore than I would have prior to becoming an RN. Having an MBA is in no way tied to your licensing as a nurse.

Unless its nursing affiliated it appears a bit pretentious and silly to me.

Edit- A friend once told me. The only people who put MBA behind their name got their degrees from University of Phoenix. LOL

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

I use BSN RN CCRN. Once I graduate in May I will be MSN RN CCRN, and then APRN-BC MSN CCRN. I will no longer use BSN once I have completed my Master's.

[shiftingtides]

I'm still in school (for nursing), but I would also feel weird adding MBA or whatnot behind my name. As it is, the only thing I use is CPA, because that is usually relevant to the job. But I won't be adding CPA, MBA, BBA, or AS behind my name when I start nursing. It would feel odd and irrelevant. I can see adding the highest nursing degree and any relevant specialties.