Is it RN,BSN or BSN,RN

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What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing the order in which to list their credentials when signing their names, specifically focusing on whether to list their academic degrees or their license first. Some members prefer to list their highest degree first, while others argue that the license should come first as it is the real qualification. The conversation also touches on the importance of having a BSN in certain job markets and the pride that comes with earning different nursing degrees.

This is silly and I should know, but I don't. I just graduated and passed boards. How are supposed to write your credentials, if you are an RN with BSN?

Thanks ?

Hello all! I'm a new grad and I have to say this is the craziest thing I've ever seen. Nursing is my second career and I'm starting to wonder what the heck I got myself into~! (Just focus on the patients! Just focus on the patients! New Mantra) There is no other profession in which a person would be shamed for wanting to recognize their accomplishments. A new PhD doesn't continue to write MS only behind their names to avoid looking pretentious. It has nothing to do with thinking you are better than anyone! BSN nurses legitimately jumped through more hoops!

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this is silly and i should know, but i dont. i just graduated and passed boards. how are supposed to write your credentials, if you are an RN with BSN?

thanks:)

Wow, you can tell by the level of animosity that many nurses here are diploma RN's. Shame on you, let the lady be proud of her accomplishments. Simply answering her question would suffice.

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It's BSN, RN because you list your highest degree obtained first due to the degree not being taken away from you; you can take a license away.

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Please try not to get upset by this. I don't think many nurses realize that physicians and student physicians think that this writing BSN after RN on their signatures is ridiculous. Their position is that they aren't writing BA or BS, MS (if applicable), and then MD. They write, MD or DO--that reflects the title under which they function. After all, a bachelor's in most professions is not considered a terminal degree, and it reflects a required course of study for a school's particular degree.

I have to agree that the intials of alphabet soup seem a bit silly to me. But then again, if the baseline level of education for nursing was BSN in the first place, I guess this practice of writing it after the licensed status wouldn't be an issue.

When signing paperwork, etc, I stick with RN.

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oh, yeah, when you are signing something, it's fine to put "your name", RN but like listing titles/credentials for something, it's your highest degree earned followed by license because the board can't take your degree away but they can take your license away.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

I think I've said this before, but the docs write MD and not BS or whatever else because MD (or DO) is a degree. RN is not a degree, it's a license, so it follows after academic degrees. That's said, on the floor, the academic degree is irrelevant, only the license. The academic degree listing becomes important for professional communication, resumes, etc.

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Specializes in Public Health, Maternal Child Health.

Here's what I learned: the "official" way is supposed to education then license then certification. BUT in the setting of your job, it is the accepted norm to put license right after your name so in a chart you can see what kind of person wrote what. If an MD wrote a note, I wanna be able to quickly see doctor John smith, MD. Or see Jane Doe, RN or see Jane doe, LCSW. I don't care at the moment what kind of advanced certifications or additional education they had BUT if I am at a conference or learning from someone, then I would like to know their level of education and specialty certifications because it clarifies their level of expertise.

I work as a PHN. On my business card, my email signature, and on any PowerPoint presentations I do I write the "official way" of Jane Doe, BSN, RN, PHN - so people get a clear sense of my education license and certification.

BUT in my charting I simply write Jane Doe, PHN because within my department we know all our PHNs have a BSN RN and everyone else has a different job title than PHN. Does that make sense?

Hope that helps!

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Specializes in PACU, GI, Cardiac, Utilization Review.

Pairofshues I would be interested to hear which FNP program you decided to attend, UCM or Chamberlain. I am considering both. I also work a the VA and live in Kansas.

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I came along this post because I too am a new graduate and have this same question. Reading these responses is honestly disheartening. Have you ever noticed every single nurse with a associates wants to make a effort to tell you your BSN was a waste of time? So pathetic. Why can’t we be happy for one another?

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