Credentials question

[pmabraham]

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.

[Flatline, BSN, RN]

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

Not uncommon to see ab MBA in leadership positions where having an MBA is pertinent and unusual for a nurse.

Floor nurse with it? Weird. CNO with it? OK.

[Flatline, BSN, RN]

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

For many it doesn't matter, especially if you work the floor. For specialists or those in leadership positions it can be seen as maybe not important but maybe unprofessional or uninformed to have them out of order.

It would be like wearing your scope with the headset angled the wrong direction. Minor issue but looks off.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

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

I knew someone who went with RN, BSN, MSN. Someone pointed out that it was incorrect. Her reply: "Well I think it looks better that way." Umm, ok, whatever.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

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.

Some people on AN have criticized nurses for listing so many degrees/license/certs after their names, but physicians usually list many/every thing also. For example, I once saw "MD, PhD, MBA, FACS."

[llg, PhD, RN]

Some people on AN have criticized nurses for listing so many degrees/license/certs after their names, but physicians usually list many/every thing also. For example, I once saw "MD, PhD, MBA, FACS."

And of course, as nurses we all know that if some physicians do it, then it must be right.

Is that what you are trying to say?

(and oh, I don't list my credentials the same way they are listed here in allnurses. That's just how it comes up automatically because those degrees are in my allnurses profile. I list my credentials, Name, PhD, RN-BC )

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

And of course, as nurses we all know that if some physicians do it, then it must be right.

Is that what you are trying to say?

Not at all. What I am trying to say is that professionals, whether it be physicians, lawyers, educators, etc., list they professional degrees, licenses, certifications, relevant memberships, etc. People on AN (usually this comes from a non-nurse) have suggested that nurses list their all their degrees, etc. because they are somehow insecure. I am saying that nurses should list what makes them a competent professional just like other professionals do.

[chare]

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.

Actually, it should be MSN, APRN-BC, CCRN.

[Guest219794]

Disclaimer-

I generally do not care. My badge says RN. There was no CCRN, there is no CEN, and certainly no acls, tncc, pals, enpc..........

But, every now and then I would like to meet the standard. For example, writing a recommendation for nursing school.

I ave a BA in human services, ADN, RN, CEN.

Do I include the BA, and what is the correct order, punctuation, ETC?

Sincerely,

hherrn, BA, ADN, RN, CEN.