How do you write your credentials after graduating but waiting to take the boards?

[night_owl_rn]

Hi all,

Weird question but when you graduate with your MSN-FNP and while waiting to take and pass the FNP boards....how do you write your name? I'm assuming since you got your MS degree conferred then it would be First Last, MSN, RN?

Then when you pass the boards and get certified then it would be First Last, FNP-BC or FNP-C?

[DrCOVID, DNP]

2 hours ago, djmatte said:

First step is acknowledging your mistake. Second step is fixing your mistake. The third step Is moving on. It isn’t going on explaining why your mistake is or isn’t valid. we have some honor system on these boards for sure and you choose to or not to abide by that. there’s nobody to enforce credentials, but you can probably be banned for breaking the TOS once you publicly disclose you are. Regardless of your failure to understand those terms.

You, like my previous nursing "leadership" are trying to ask me to shut my brain off. I have personally accomplished steps 1, 2, & 3 thank you for helping me cope. But regardless of the steps you want me to go through, the point is still valid. Mister BostonFNP was trying to make an example of me, bc I didn't read the TOS and tried to compare me to the other student I mentioned, when clearly the two examples are comparing oranges to apples. Then you want me to ignore it and not explain how my point is valid?

TBH, I don't find much use for this forum... I'm craving for someone to talk business aspects of being a provider, or something interesting like breakthroughs in psychiatry. Instead, I see the people of this profession shunning the advancements their own profession is trying to make, and spreading false information such as mikeFNPC stating "you don't board certify in Texas." Yikes. If he just knew that ANCC stood for American Nurses Credentialing Center, he would know that Texas is part of America, and therefore you certify here just like any other American state... And then here you come reminding me about the TOS I admitted I didn't read. It's like??? Really dude?

Do you hold misinformation such as my reported false credentials in the same category as the misinformation spread by other NPs? Cuz you better start running all the credentials of everyone here instead of the one who openly admits they are a student!

On top of that, I was the only one to post the actual source from the body which provides the credential as they have guidance on the OP's question. You are welcome.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

5 hours ago, adammRN said:

1. Forgive me for not reading the TOS on an online anonymous message board. You nor anyone can verify who anyone is or their credentials here. Therefore, it is kinda silly isn't it?

2. It is another scenario - in real life, where two people know each other in the real world and they have a professional relationship - PhD/PMHNP professor & student. Telling her professor she was certified when he knew she wasn't. Hardly the same thing as an anonymous forum where things are impersonal and you can't verify anyone.

3. I clicked credentials I am working on - might be against the TOS on this message board, but not illegal. Signing your name from one identifiable provider to a another impersonating a credential, that is illegal.

4. Prove to me you can verify 1/4ths of the people here dude. You have no idea who they are, what they earned, etc.

5. How did you know I was a student?

Regardless, here is the guidance -

https://www.nursingworld.org/~49636a/globalassets/certification/certification-specialty-pages/ancc-credentialsbrochure.pdf

It's not "silly". It's called moral character and professionalism. You were (and I say were because you have since changed it/or it was changed for you) making public statements attached to degrees and credentials you have not earned. It is not a matter of legality: it is a matter of character and professionalism, just as it was with this student you mentioned.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

1 hour ago, adammRN said:

Mister BostonFNP was trying to make an example of me, bc I didn't read the TOS and tried to compare me to the other student I mentioned, when clearly the two examples are comparing oranges to apples. Then you want me to ignore it and not explain how my point is valid?

TBH, I don't find much use for this forum... I'm craving for someone to talk business aspects of being a provider, or something interesting like breakthroughs in psychiatry. Instead, I see the people of this profession shunning the advancements their own profession is trying to make, and spreading false information such as mikeFNPC stating "you don't board certify in Texas." Yikes. If he just knew that ANCC stood for American Nurses Credentialing Center, he would know that Texas is part of America, and therefore you certify here just like any other American state... And then here you come reminding me about the TOS I admitted I didn't read. It's like??? Really dude?

Do you hold misinformation such as my reported false credentials in the same category as the misinformation spread by other NPs? Cuz you better start running all the credentials of everyone here instead of the one who openly admits they are a student!

On top of that, I was the only one to post the actual source from the body which provides the credential as they have guidance on the OP's question. You are welcome.

I just pointed out the hypocrisy, you made the example of yourself. There is a reality disconnect if you think intentionally using credentials you have not earned while posting advice is not worse than a novice unintentionally using a credential privately.

It is clear you hold yourself in high esteem; I hope before you graduate and transition to advanced practice you develop some self-awareness of what you have the knowledge and experience of and what you don't. For example: just because the ANCC has "American" in the name doesn't mean that all of America uses it to board certify NPs (just like all America doesn't fly American Airlines). Some states do not require national board certification and there are many other national certifying bodies for APNs.

You are correct, I consider misinformation dangerous.

[CerseiRN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

Thank you very much for the information, everyone! This post comes at a perfect time. I graduated virtually this month (May 2020) and I was wondering the same question. For my NYC NPs, I did apply to receive certification from the NYS (Acute Care) but I have not received authorization from the ANCC in order to sit for the exam yet. It’s still proper to write it this way correct: Cersei, MSN, RN? I only add my other certifications on my email signature (PCCN and RN-BC). Thank you, again. Have a wonderful evening.

[night_owl_rn, BSN]

2 minutes ago, CerseiRN said:

Thank you very much for the information, everyone! This post comes at a perfect time. I graduated virtually this month (May 2020) and I was wondering the same question. For my NYC NPs, I did apply to receive certification from the NYS (Acute Care) but I have not received authorization from the ANCC in order to sit for the exam yet. It’s still proper to write it this way correct: Cersei, MSN, RN? I only add my other certifications on my email signature (PCCN and RN-BC). Thank you, again. Have a wonderful evening.

Hi Cersei! You are right. I do identify myself now as an RN MSN. License come first before degree. Then when we get board certified then MSN, FNP-C or BC

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

1 minute ago, night_owl_rn said:

Hi Cersei! You are right. I do identify myself now as an RN MSN. License come first before degree. Then when we get board certified then MSN, FNP-C or BC

Incorrect. The order, as discussed by myself above and elsewhere, is always Degree, License, Certification, Fellowship

[CerseiRN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

33 minutes ago, TheSquire said:

Incorrect. The order, as discussed by myself above and elsewhere, is always Degree, License, Certification, Fellowship

Thank you for the responses, all! It is greatly appreciated. Thus, for now (a bit of alphabet soup for my email signature but I’m living on the edge): Cersei, MSN, RN, PCCN, RN-BC. Everywhere else, Cersei, MSN, RN.

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

1 hour ago, CerseiRN said:

Thank you for the responses, all! It is greatly appreciated. Thus, for now (a bit of alphabet soup for my email signature but I’m living on the edge): Cersei, MSN, RN, PCCN, RN-BC. Everywhere else, Cersei, MSN, RN.

RN and RN-BC are redundant, it bridges the License/Certification divide. If it's confusing, blame ANCC - they're the ones who came up with that. Since PCCN isn't an ANCC cert, I assume you're double-certified in something else.

[CerseiRN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

4 minutes ago, TheSquire said:

RN and RN-BC are redundant, it bridges the License/Certification divide. If it's confusing, blame ANCC - they're the ones who came up with that. Since PCCN isn't an ANCC cert, I assume you're double-certified in something else.

Indeed. PCCN and Cardiac Vascular Nursing. Should I remove it (RN-BC)? Or, Display it as Cersei, MSN, RN-BC, PCCN?

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

6 minutes ago, CerseiRN said:

Indeed. PCCN and Cardiac Vascular Nursing. Should I remove it (RN-BC)? Or, Display it as Cersei, MSN, RN-BC, PCCN?

I'd go with the latter - You've earned all of them, and the fact that there's not a redundancy with the latter two is a conversation point, if nothing else.

[CerseiRN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

5 minutes ago, TheSquire said:

I'd go with the latter - You've earned all of them, and the fact that there's not a redundancy with the latter two is a conversation point, if nothing else.

I genuinely appreciate your time and guidance. I will adjust my signatures. Have a wonderful evening once again.

[woundcarewisdom, MSN, RN]

After graduating, you ARE an APRN so you may sign that way - IF you have applied for and been granted licensure as such.