How can I put my credentials on a nametag without writing a book?

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I'm not yet an RN, but I'm getting there. I've seen a lot of RN's who have so many credentials on their nametags, it's confusing to the patients.

I plan to get the following degrees / credentials: BSN, RN, CNOR, CRNFA, DNP, ACPNP.

How can I shorten this so as to not confuse my patients beyond belief? Since my main role will be as a nurse practitioner / first assistant, I was thinking that just "NP First Assistant" would be good enough. What do you guys think?

It is common practice to only place the highest academic degree earned on your badge, in your signature or on a business card. You can't get the highest degree without obtaining the others, so it is implied that you have them. If you have a DNP, you probably don't have an MSN, and even if you did, you only need to list the DNP. Followed by certifications.

For example, don't do S. Smith, RN, BSN, MSN, Phd, ANP, Etc

The highest degree should be the only one listed. So, it should look like:

S. Smith, RN, Phd, ANP, Etc...

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If and when you actually complete all of that (and kudos to you for aiming high), you could always have all of it embroidered on your scrub top or lab coat. Or as another poster mentioned, it can be put on your business card.

As far as your nametag goes, though: just stick with "RN" (or "RN" and your highest degree). Your patients would rather have you actually there to care for them than to be there reading a badge full of acronyms that they don't understand.

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Shoot, most the clients I work with don't get the difference between RNs and LPNs, let alone any of the rest of the "alphabet soup."

No need to worry about putting credentials on a nametag until you actually have them.

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Specializes in CCU & CTICU.

My job's namebadges are just 'name' and 'job' (i.e. 'Nursing' for the RNs and 'Nurse Practicioner' for the NPs).

I know people who do, but I'm not signing credentials that are longer than my name.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Please notice that most MDs' name badges just say J Smith, MD. No BA, no listing of other degrees/certifications. When you go to their office all the certificates and diplomas are framed.

And you are WAY WAY WAY ahead of yourself.

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Specializes in MSP, Informatics.

Just be happy if they spell your name right! I went for several years with my name misspelled on my first badge. And now I just got a new title, I was happy to have my name spelled right....but they spelled my title wrong! Instead of Director of Nursing Informatics...they put information. So I took a sharpie marker and turned it into Director of Nursing mis-information. ;-)

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Specializes in Psych , Peds ,Nicu.

If you are self employed you will be able to put whatever you like to put on your badge , but if employed , your employer will decide what they want on your badge .

It is somewhat pretentious to worry about what goes on a badge when you haven't even got the qualifications , take a breath , concentrate upon how and when you are going to obtain this alphabet soup . Once you have made the soup then you can worry about this infantile concern :bugeyes: .Though I think by then you will have other concerns .

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

OP, I completely understand being proud of one's accomplishments and wanting to let others be aware of them also. However, as other posters have already noted (albeit some not so kindly) the more important thing is first to actually accomplish them and secondly to demonstrate your accomplishments by safe, competent and caring practice. Most of your patients, clients and/or residents will have no idea what 99% of the letters mean, and even fewer will care. Also the poster who wrote that your job will decide what goes on your badge - that is very true as it belongs to them not you- you only have use of it as long as you work for them! LOL However, you may buy your own name-pin and pay for whatever/how many ever letters you want on it. Some employers will allow you to wear it some won't.

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Specializes in Wound care, Surgery,Infection control.
I think putting alphabet soup on one's name badge demonstrates insecurity at best, and snobbery at worst. But then, so does chewing up and spitting out newcomers to our profession.:smiley_ab

Great responses from VivaLasViejas and also Noahsmama " Most of the time your tag will be flipped over and nobody will be able to see it anyway ". How true !! It appears from your post that you wish to become an Operating Room nurse since you included CNOR in your tally . I am sure you will do fine in school and pass your NCLEX . But when it comes to eating our young Operating Room nurses can be brutal . We are all proud of what we do but concerning my badge : if it swipes my hours in and out and my picture is not horrible I am happy : ) I do have a funny story that might put things in perspective : after work one day I went to visit a friend at her store . She had a customer and I sat down to wait. The women approached me and asked if I was a nurse. I told her yes and where I worked. Then she said " are you going to go back to school?" I asked her what she meant and she replied " I see you are a Registered Nurse , are you going to finish and get your license to become an LPN?" When I explained that a RN had more years of school than a LPN , she told me I was misinformed : " My Dear , you are only registered , an LPN has a license" !!!

And please , I mention this story because I thought it was funny. I think LPN's are the backbone of most hospitals and none of us can do our job without their skill , care and hardwork . Bless you all and Good-Luck to students !!!!!!!!

WarmBlanket VET TECH CST AA AS RN SENIOR NURSE 3 BSN CNOR = just RN please

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Also - the state usually gets in on what you put on your nametag and what you sign. For instance, I'm an adult health CNS so per IL BON, I put, Trauamarus, APN (advanced practice nurse).

And - many facilities have explicit ways for you to wear your nametag - you don't usually get much choice.

Good luck.

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Please don't mind us and our sarcasm. It is good to dream, and if you have your goals right in front of your eyes you are more likely to stay on track and achieve your goal. That being said, you might stick with your name, RN and your highest certification in the area of care that you work. The alphabet soup can be used on the journal articles that you will write. See, goals are good, bet you did not know that you will be writing peer reviewed journal articles in your specialty!!

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I think putting alphabet soup on one's name badge demonstrates insecurity at best, and snobbery at worst. But then, so does chewing up and spitting out newcomers to our profession.:smiley_ab

Alot of members here enjoy chewing at me and spitting me out. I'm seeing a tather hateful enviorment here and I do not like it.

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