How do you sign your credentials?

Dogen · Mar 13, 2016

If you sign your checks and birthday cards "heather717, BSN, RN," people will think you're pretentious. I never include my BSN unless it's indicated. For instance, a physician writing a second opinion to force psychiatric medications in Oregon uses a form that has to be signed by a qualified mental health professional and state statute says an RN must have a BSN to sign it, so I stick it on there. That's about the only time I use anything after my name.

nutella, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2016

Hi!
Question: if you have your BSN, do you always sign RN, BSN after your name? Do you nec. include BSN?
Thank you!

I assume you talk about work -

Although I have my credentials on my ID I do not sign using my BSN. I do , however, use my credentials RN, CHPN when I write nursing notes.

allnurses Guide · Mar 13, 2016

Spidey's Mom, RN. That's it. :)

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2016

I sign CLUVRN, BSN, RN. I worked hard for my credentials so why not use them on paperwork?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2016

NOTE: It is not 'RN, BSN.' Rather, it is 'BSN, RN.' The degree always comes before the licensure. This is because a degree has more permanency and cannot be taken, whereas a license can be revoked at any point in time.

The credentials with more permanency always come first.

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 13, 2016

R. Queen, RN at work. No need for the alphabet soup there.

Academic publications: R. Queen, MSN, RN, CNOR.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 13, 2016

LadyFree28, RN, although I have a BSN, I go right to the licensure.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2016

My business card, my email signature, my LinkedIn profile and my resume say BSN but when I sign my name on notes or other documents I just sign "RN".

allnurses Guide · Mar 13, 2016

Academic, political and work oriented stuff, not.done.yet, BSN, RN. Otherwise not.done.yet or not.done.yet, RN

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 13, 2016

My hand would cramp if I did the entire alphabet soup, we chart on paper. I just sign RN. :) Official stuff gets the MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, NREMT-P. And actually I guess I'm supposed to use NRP instead of NREMT-P now, which is fine - it's a little shorter!

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 13, 2016

When credentials are required, I sign my name according to how the AACN instructs that they be signed.

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/DisplayCredentials-Brochure.pdf

"What is the preferred order of credentials?

The preferred order is:

Highest earned degree

Licensure

State designations or requirements National certifications

Awards and honors

Other recognitions

why is this order recommended?

The education degree comes first because it is a permanentâ€ credential, meaning it cannot be taken away except under extreme circumstances. The next two credentials (licensure and state designations/requirements) are required for you to practice. National certification is sometimes voluntary, and awards, honors, and other recognitions are always voluntary".