Displaying credentials

[jetMA96]

This is a pet peeve of mine because I think it makes us nurses look ignorant and unprofessional. I have seen nurses display their credentials as RN-BSN, RN, BSN; BSN, RN; BA, RN, BSN and the list goes on.

There is a proper way to display credentials and the rationale is quite simple: the degree goes first followed by any licenses and finally any certifications. The reason the degree goes first is because once earned it can NEVER be lost - an unethical nurse can lose his or her license. Also a degree is REQUIRED to get the license so must have been obtained first.

In the event of multiple degrees the HIGHEST degree goes first followed by lowered degrees in a different area that are PERTINENT to the persons position or responsibility. For example, Jane Smith, MA, BSN, RN-BC or John Smith, DNP, MBA, RN-BC. There is never a need to list a lower degree in the same area because one cannot earn an MSN if he or she did not already earn a BSN.

Let's all get on the same page nurses and display our hard earned credentials correctly. If you don't believe or understand me please see the American Nurses Credentialing Center for guidance. Here is the link: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/DisplayCredentials-Brochure.pdf

Thanks for listening all. Believe it or not I get questions about this ALL the time why we (nurses) don't do this the same and as a former journalist it's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. This is my attempt to reach many of my fellow nurses and correct the error. Nurses are AWESOME so let's all get on the same page here.

Best regards,

MA, BSN, RN-BC

[caliotter3]

Ehh, it's good to be a stickler for attention to detail, but I have bigger fish to fry instead of how someone presents their credentials. After all, as far as I am concerned, the only important one's are RN, LP/VN, CNA, NP. All the rest is chest puffing most of the time.

[JWG223]

The only time I've displayed credentials was a resume. My badge reads "registered nurse" and HR deems that sufficient.

[VANurse2010]

The alphabet soup on a name badge looks ridiculous, irrespective of the order thereof.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

There is never a need to list a lower degree in the same area because one cannot earn an MSN if he or she did not already earn a BSN.

I know many MSNs/DNPs that have no BSN.

Sent from my iPhone.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I agree with the OP with regards to how someone should order their initials on a resume or signature or whatever, but it's hard for me to fathom creating a username and posting this as one's very first post at a website.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

So I would be MAT, BS, BSN, AS, AAS, RN? Then add the ONC after certs?

We are only allowed 4 creds on our badges. Some put their clinical levels (CNI, CNII, etc) and certifications so it might be RN, BSN, CNIV, ONC. I think they encourage certification so that it shows that we have gone above and beyond and have extra training.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Also a degree is REQUIRED to get the license so must have been obtained first.

This is clearly false. There are still diploma programs out there and MANY nurses who obtained their RN before obtaining their BSN degree.

[vanilla bean]

I'm guessing that this *really* bothers you if you've been a member since 2011 and this is your first post!

I never gave much (any) thought to this and didn't even realize there was an etiquette to listing credentials. Thanks for the info.

ETA - Thank goodness AN got the order correct after my username!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

My only credentials on my name badge is RN and that's how I chart. The only time I list my full credentials RN, BSCN, GNCC is on my resume. I see no need for it otherwise.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

I agree that it is kind of silly to say both BSN and ADN, for example because once you have the higher degree, it assumes the knowledge/education of the previous (whether or not the degree was conferred on the way- BSN-to-DNP for example).

However, I would make a couple of exceptions: I feel like if someone was an LPN before becoming an RN, it gives them credibility in certain instances that I wouldn't ascribe otherwise. Also, I see on a lot of job boards that a PhD in, for instance, education or public health would be acceptable for nurse faculty positions, as long as the applicant has an MSN specifically; by this logic, "PhD, MSN" would be non-redundant.

But I get the OP's issue- since I found out that the correct format was "degree, licensure," it has irritated me to see it the other way around on email signatures, business cards, and such.

[ak2190]

In my humble opinion, the alphabet soup is ridiculous. At the most, it should be Highest degree and license after your name (e.g. Princess Peach DNP, RN). The only person who knows about or cares for your certs are you and your employer and they will verify by checking your documents.