Okay this is a pet peeve of mine. What the heck is going on with all the freakin' initials after the "RN"? I'm trying to find the setting to take away the BSN after my name on this site.
Now for the rant. A simple Jane Doe RN is sufficient for 99.9% of uses. I think it is over the top to write the following:
Jane Doe, RN, BSN, MSN, MEd, CCRN
The only legal license a nurse has is the RN part, or, for advanced practice nurses, the CRNA, CNM, APRN part. It's really cool to invest in your education and it is an accomplishment and kudos to you. Certainly, put it on your resume/CV, but it gets embarrassing when it's on the patient record or on a business card or on the nameplate of your workstation, office...whatever.
If you've just gotta' get it out there, then use just your highest degree. Jane Doe, RN, MSN is not so creepy. If you have a masters degree then I am assuming you had to have a bachelors degree or equivalent.
Jane Doe, MD looks good just plain. Jane Doe, MD, MPH, FAACP is kind of braggy.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Ok I'm incredibly embarrassed that I'm posting this, but I'm not even sure what they all mean. I'm just a student, don't hurt me!
pssssst.... (looks both ways) Neither do I. But I have developed a keen eye for the important ones.
The titles with hyphens followed by more letters I think are intended to communicate to others within a specialty rather than for the general public or even the general nursing public. A specialized credential would be important in a specialty environment because it does communicate something, and as many of them represent one ass-busting amount of work, I don't get as annoyed as I used to.
Some nurses insist on listing their entry-level nursing degree on their badge with the RN. That's totally unnecessary. Why is there a need to differentiate yourself from a ADN or BSN? RN is an RN, period. If you are certified and it is appropriate, maybe allowed. But if you work med/surg, I dont see how listing CEN is appropriate or necessary for instance. In the ED, absolutely.
Where I work, our hospital currently (and has the entire time I've worked there) lists your licensure and education on your name tag. Example: mine has always been Furbabymom BSN, RN. I've been certified since earlier this year, I now have a tag that accompanies my name tag that lists my certification (CNOR).
In email correspondence outside my day to day coworkers I have a signature that was created largely based on facility protocol.
Furbabymom BSN, RN, CNOR
Surgical Services
(Hospital name)
(Department phone number)
That's about the only time I really use my entire alphabet soup. It doesn't make me better or worse than someone else that I have more letters. Just means I have more letters. Out of most of my coworkers I know who has an ASN/ADN, a BSN and who has a MSN (or other masters). It's never really talked about and certainly never in a "I'm better than you are" way.
Where I work, our hospital currently (and has the entire time I've worked there) lists your licensure and education on your name tag. Example: mine has always been Furbabymom BSN, RN. I've been certified since earlier this year, I now have a tag that accompanies my name tag that lists my certification (CNOR).
In email correspondence outside my day to day coworkers I have a signature that was created largely based on facility protocol.
Furbabymom BSN, RN, CNOR
Surgical Services
(Hospital name)
(Department phone number)
That's about the only time I really use my entire alphabet soup. It doesn't make me better or worse than someone else that I have more letters. Just means I have more letters. Out of most of my coworkers I know who has an ASN/ADN, a BSN and who has a MSN (or other masters). It's never really talked about and certainly never in a "I'm better than you are" way.
I believe the entry-level title is also only used if the RN is a BSN holder. At my facility, ASN RNs are not permitted to place ASN on their badge. As HR says, "We only recognize BSN as a credential."
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
My badge had ASN on it until I finished my BSN. I think pts like to see the "RN" on the badge b/c they may not know that a BSN (or ASN) means RN. I also have my certification on my badge. I am ortho certified on an ortho unit and pts like to see that as well. When signing, stuff. it is just RN.
My pet peeve is when nurses feel like they have to run each other down. Do you have any idea of what it takes to get those letters? Nurses are their own worst enemy at times. Why should we play down our achievements just to make others feel better? I earned 'em, I'm gonna use 'em. Think of me whatever you will.
Rocknurse, BSN, RN, CCRN-K, CDN soon to be MSN, AGACNP, APRN
I rarely write my name in a patient's chart anymore, but when I do, I simply it to llg, RN to not draw attention to my credentials and the possibility of higher expectations should the chart be reviewed by the patient's attorney.
In daily e-mails to people I know, I simply sign my first name and my phone number -- no need for a fancy automatic signature attached to every e-mail.
Occasionally, there are posts here in allnurses for which my credentials are important. I want the reader to know my educational level and certification because it is relevant to the topic of the thread.
And for more formal professional correspondence -- or in correspondence in which it is important that I establish my authority -- I use the standard format approved by ANCC for listing credentials to show I mean business.
The people who list all degrees (not just highest per discipline) every time just don't know how to do it right. They show their ignorance with their list -- and sometimes, their foolish egos.
No Stars In My Eyes
5,633 Posts
No Stars. No initials. Well, not really.
No Stars, CNA, LPN (ret.), SHK* summa cun laude, magna cum laude
*School of Hard Knocks
PS I actually do have a pin I found at a flea market and wear on my ID badge : "College of Hard Knocks." It looks just like any school pin!