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.
