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.
My husband is a CFO. :) His (company) biz card says
His Name
Chief Financial Officer
Nothing about his Finance BS or his MBA. He's considering going back for a PhD or JD and I doubt that would be on there either.
Seriously? Bankers, attorneys, CFO's, COO's display their BOA's? Their MBA's?
Not in my experience. They display their current title. That's it. That's sufficient to inform the customer/patient.
Nurses, on the other hand, tend to want to display credentials from every CEU, every.single.seminar, every degree achieved since high school. We denigrate ourselves as a profession by demanding that attention be paid to our academic achievements and every single hoop we've jumped through, as opposed to simply stating our professional, licensed designation: LPN, RN, ANP, et al.
When I earned my BSN it was taught how to display credentials, I had assumed it was a general practice to teach it. In my field nearly everyone has credentials but it is common to see a mixed assortment of presentations which looks ridiculous.
I personally do display my credentials but that is simply because it is a professional expectation and pertinent to my current role.
Displaying pertinent certifications can be important to not only our patients but our colleagues.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
yes ma'am, and i am one.
This was in response to "need a degree" before the RN, inre to diploma nurses....
At least two other paths to RN that do not require a degree. WV's challenge RN for military trained people, and CA's "30 unit option" RNs.
As others have already pointed out there is no requirment to have a BSN to earn an MSN, Lots of MSN's out there who don't have a BSN.
My badge just says my name and "RN" on it. I could put other stuff but "RN" tells my patients and everyone else what they really need to know about me.
I don't think displaying ADN/BSN is important for RNs - they are both entry level degrees. Nobody really cares except HR and the magnet people which one you have.
Now, higher degrees and specialty certs... certainly! The patients and families DO care. I have been asked by very scared family members looking for a distraction with the CCRN on my badge means - and when I explain it means I took a certification test and I am certified specifically in critical care nursing, they look more reassured. It is scary having a family member in the hospital. Learning that you have some kind of cert gives patients/families more faith in your abilities because you are "certified" to know what you are doing! Especially in a life and death situation, that kind of reassurance can make a real difference between them looking at you with intense suspicion all shift long and backing off a little bit.
I have seen the same thing happen with MSNs who are working at the bedside. When patients/families notice, they generally are impressed that they have a nurse that is so much more educated that your average bedside nurse. Perception is everything, whether that specialty cert or higher degree makes you more competent or not. I'm sure you all are aware that families liking the nurse makes them less likely to sue the nurse when something goes wrong. If a few letters after my name can improve the chances of the family liking me, and therefore NOT suing me, I'm all for displaying them.
I am interested in the ladder only because I am interested in changing things where I work-for the better. I like learning about how everything works and you have to play the game a little to gain access. I am actually interested in those nurses that come to work, punch in, do their 12 hours and punch out. They serve on no committees or don't participate in unit specific or even hospital events. THEN they complain about stuff, not knowing why certain things happen for a reason. They aren't necessarily part of the problem, but they aren't willing to be part of the solution.
Because "being part of the solution" is an illusion that most experienced nurses who have been with a facility for any length of time have figured out. Live and learn.
I worked very hard for my CCRN and my OCN and, although I don't display them on my badge, they are on my business card. And heck yes I tell people what they mean if they ask. I do wear a "certified nurse" pin on my badge. I usually find that those nurses who complain about others using their "alphabet soup" are the nurses that do not have any certifications. There have been multiple studies finding that certification provides value to the patient and the agency.
I don't have all my credentials listed on my badge but I'm darn proud of every single letter in that alphabet soup. :) I've worked hard to get where I'm at. But I do agree that when you have more letters than your name it can get confusing!
Wow! Nice little round up of nursing credentials and how to correctly display them.
I saw an interesting display of chest puffing in my nursing journal. An opinion/article was written by Big Dog, BSN, RN, MSN, FAAN, PhD(h). Puhleeze.
I'll stop rolling my eyes if someone can tell me the (h) stands for something other than "honorary"
Lol, in addition to my BC pet peeve there is also something I have seen people add like DNP-C is it C for candidate? It was someone who was in the DNP program I can't remember the particulars but it had me rolling my eyes.
I worked very hard for my CCRN and my OCN and, although I don't display them on my badge, they are on my business card. And heck yes I tell people what they mean if they ask. I do wear a "certified nurse" pin on my badge. I usually find that those nurses who complain about others using their "alphabet soup" are the nurses that do not have any certifications. There have been multiple studies finding that certification provides value to the patient and the agency.
I would imagine all of us worked hard for our credentials. I'm a dual certified NP with my MS who simply uses CRNP so its not just people who don't have any certifications complaining about the silliness of nursing's insecurities.
I've worked really hard to get to where i am, and when I'm finished with this degree you bet I'll display it! Ive overcome a lot and I'm proud of it! at my work we don't display credentials on our badges, just the job title....I also would sign with only my title. But in my email signature and for any professional presentations I would list credentials.
I would imagine all of us worked hard for our credentials. I'm a dual certified NP with my MS who simply uses CRNP so its not just people who don't have any certifications complaining about the silliness of nursing's insecurities.
It is unfortunate that you link a nurse's pride with her certifications to "silliness of nursing's insecurities."
For those that compare our use of credentialing to COOs and CFOs, those are positions, not professions, and there is no education, licensing or certification requirement to being in those positions. They are named by the board of directors of their corporations. As for bankers, they frequently use all combinations of CFU, CFP and CFA certifications after their names.
Lawyers are not permitted to use any certifications after their names. The ABA has for many years resisted certification and distinctions of any kind.
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Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN
5,047 Posts
My husband is a CFO. :) His (company) biz card says
His Name
Chief Financial Officer
Nothing about his Finance BS or his MBA. He's considering going back for a PhD or JD and I doubt that would be on there either.