Help! How do I sign my name??

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Hello. I am a new RN. I have one degree a BS, and then I just got my BSN. How do I sign my name?? My hubby is buying me a scrub jacket with my name on it for Christmas and I want to make sure I have it right. :redpinkhe So would it be my name then RN, BS, BSN?? I got the BS first-- I did study the sciences with a concentration in Pre Med, so I do want to list the first BS degree as well as my nursing degree.

:tku: :tree: ?

Specializes in OB/Gyn, L&D, NICU.

Lots of people have numerous degrees, but they do not list them on their lab coat. Have you ever seen a doctor with: Joe Smith, BA, MD. Doctors do not have to have their bachelor's in science - it can be any field. What if you doctor listed his English degree on his lab coat? What if he listed his BS degree? They just don't. I have a BA with over 70 extra credit hours (yes, graduated with over 200 hours) including pre-med courses, but I won't be listing it alongside my BSN.

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too funny or should I say "brilliant"

brilliant...:lol2:...:thankya:thank ya thank ya

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Epona, Your post was dated a while ago, however, there is a rule regarding this. The rule is: when you have a degree, such as any masters, bachelors, etc. it cannot be taken away from you. For example BSN, RN would be the correct order because no one can take away your bachelor's degree, however, one could have their RN license revoked. For multiple degrees one should place them in order of most recent, such as MSN, BA, RN would indicate that one had most recently acquired a MSN, and one had earlier acquired a BA, and one has an RN license. If one has MSN, BSN, RN that would be redundant so only use MSN, RN.

Some people do place too many alphabets behind their name, I have seen MSN, BSN, RN.... uck. However, if you have earned a BSN you should use it, this is not bragging, but validating your educational background. You earned it, use it. Nurses, on the whole, are humble and it is about time that we are proud of what we have earned. We benefit, as individuals and as a profession, when we stand up for ourselves and have our voices heard. The public needs our experience and expertise and wants to know our level of education. SO, place those initials on your jacket and whenever you write your name professionally. Be proud, not hesitant. This does NOT equate to bragging.

Best.

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Thanks NM Katrina! To BabyCathr- that is your opinion.

One of my current bosses ENCOURAGED me to list ALL the degrees on my business card. She thought it was great to list them all, so I did.

As far as a lab coat on the actual ward, I believe it's a matter of opinion. If you have another degree and it is related to nursing, medicine then I believe it's appropriate to list it. I guess it's a matter of opinion. Like I said, if I had a degree in History, or Economics, then right, I would NOT include that degree. That would be out of place. Since my first degree involved heavy pre med classes with a concentration in that, again I am going to list it. And no, I would not list it or sign it BS, BSN, RN when I chart, just Epona, RN. The fancy stuff is just for the business cards and lab coat! :clown:

Thanks for ALL the replies!! Best wishes!! :nurse: :redpinkhe

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I agree with what you are saying. One does need to use discretion, listing degrees other than nursing on a lab coat is not pertinent. I would place them on a business card however or use nursing degrees with professional nursing applications.

Anyway, I see published articles with authors signing RN, MSN and it is interesting that the supposed rules for the order are not known by many nurses. BTW, I learned about this rule when taking a class on Professional Development from the ANCC.

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And welcome to the world of nursing, where people are typically cynical & heartless (even though they claim they love to help people). Personally, I don't see anything wrong with you listing name, BSN, RN. I have my masters & I listed it on my lab coats & business cards. I just don't have time to when charting @ working. Most of the people commenting are just bitter anyways...remember there's no ? question that's a dumb ? & you have every right to ask if you don't know...congratulations! People talked about Jesus, & you are not exempt! Good luck with your career:):heartbeat:redbeathe:nurse:

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;) Thank you!!!
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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

I just sign my name and then 'RN'. I don't put BSN in any notes; we don't have to do that.

Put all your titles on your jacket. The doctors do, so why shouldn't we? We can't sign ourselves anywhere else as RN, however doctors can.

I'd shout it to the world myself.

Great stuff obtaining your degree, well done sweetie pie!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Thanks NM Katrina! To BabyCathr- that is your opinion.

One of my current bosses ENCOURAGED me to list ALL the degrees on my business card. She thought it was great to list them all, so I did.

As far as a lab coat on the actual ward, I believe it's a matter of opinion. If you have another degree and it is related to nursing, medicine then I believe it's appropriate to list it. I guess it's a matter of opinion. Like I said, if I had a degree in History, or Economics, then right, I would NOT include that degree. That would be out of place. Since my first degree involved heavy pre med classes with a concentration in that, again I am going to list it. And no, I would not list it or sign it BS, BSN, RN when I chart, just Epona, RN. The fancy stuff is just for the business cards and lab coat! :clown:

Thanks for ALL the replies!! Best wishes!! :nurse: :redpinkhe

I'm only posting this to this thread at this late date because the OP made a post on it yesterday....

If you already had an opinion and knew what you were going to do....why was the original question asked in the first place?

And welcome to the world of nursing, where people are typically cynical & heartless (even though they claim they love to help people). Personally, I don't see anything wrong with you listing name, BSN, RN. I have my masters & I listed it on my lab coats & business cards. I just don't have time to when charting @ working. Most of the people commenting are just bitter anyways...remember there's no ? question that's a dumb ? & you have every right to ask if you don't know...congratulations! People talked about Jesus, & you are not exempt! Good luck with your career:):heartbeat:redbeathe:nurse:

You deduced this....how?

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I'm only posting this to this thread at this late date because the OP made a post on it yesterday....

If you already had an opinion and knew what you were going to do....why was the original question asked in the first place?

Exactly my thoughts...

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

So, a name tag could be rather large to get all the credentials/degrees on there. For instance, someone I'm close to would have a name tag/signature that says "Susie Q., Ph.D., MS-Nursing,BS-Nursing, R.N.". The hand would get rather tired typing all those, I would think.....

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It is your degree first then your licensure (NURSE BETTY, BSN, RN) per the AACN http://www.nursecredentialing.org/displaycredentials-brochure.pdf (2013). As someone mentioned above, you put what can never be removed (the degree you earned) followed by the licensure which could always be revoked

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