listing credentials

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Hello all !

A question re: listing credentials in Connecticut. I am an LPN that finished RN school yesterday, thus making me a GN. Some facilities no longer recognize GN's because the turn around time from graduation to licensure is relatively quick. However, during the interim I may need to rely on my LPN license to bring in an income. How should I identify my credentials after my name ?

ie: Joe Smith, LPN/GN...or, Joe Smith GN/LPN ?

Thanks! [email protected]

Check with your hospital's nursing admin office (or the admin office of the hospital you are applying to, if that's what's happening) about how they want you identified. (If it was me, I'd also ask for it in writing, but that's me in my current state. LOL)

It may not be much of an issue since, as you say, turn around time for GN to RN is pretty short.

I believe it is an issue. If you are working a shift in an LPN capacity then use LPN. You are more limited as a GN. GN's need complete supervision. Lpn's do not. GN's can't work agency, LPN's can.

From my understanding when I was in nursing school, I was told you had to use the highest education level you had after your name, such as you were hired as an LPN, but you are a Grad nurse, It would also be in saying that if you were working as a fill in for a CNA, you wouldnt put CNA after your name would you?

Hope this helps.

You only add GN if you are in the supervised position of a Graduate Nurse. If you are working as an LPN and it has nothing to do with you GN preceptorship, you do not write GN. As GN there are many things you are not allowed to do the an LPN can, but hey, what do I know?

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Bruce -- Think that "Joe Smith, LPN / GN" would be the way to go.

States your current licensure as a LPN, and publicizes the successful completion of your RN studies and potential registration as a RN.

Congrats!

Specializes in ICU.

QUOTE]Originally posted by BarbPick

You only add GN if you are in the supervised position of a Graduate Nurse. If you are working as an LPN and it has nothing to do with you GN preceptorship, you do not write GN. As GN there are many things you are not allowed to do the an LPN can, but hey, what do I know?

First congrats on finishing school.

I would have to disagree with this post. What can a LVN do that a GN can not? I am under the impression that it is the other way around. At least it is were I am from. A GN can do anything a RN can do. They work under the same practice act with the same scope of practice. I would believe one could get into a sticky situation if they were a LVN, signing LVN, but acting in a GN capacity. The laws in Conn may differ though. I also can not understand why a GN would need "complete supervision" as posted if they have been practicing as a LVN. I never recieved any formal preceptorship, I continued working without missing a beat, only signing GN instead of LVN. In my facility, a LVN could do anything that a RN could do, except an addmission assessment. After assessing hundreds of patients, I think that I would have been offended if someone had said I need to supervise you in doing this addmission assessment because you are GN. I would only understand that complete supervision would be needed if they were climbing the ladder in level of care, say from medical to ICU.

I would agree that LVN/GN is the way to go.

I have a question for you. In Conn, what about the people who are not LVNs before finishing school? Are they able to gain employment and work as a nurse before taking and recieving their passing results? Just curious...:)

An LPN can work without supervision, a GN can't. If you read the psot, she said she would work as an LPN as well. And yes, you can work before you get your results, the title is called Graduate Nurse.

If she had passed them, this conversation would be moot.

Specializes in ICU.
Originally posted by BarbPick

An LPN can work without supervision, a GN can't. If you read the psot, she said she would work as an LPN as well. And yes, you can work before you get your results, the title is called Graduate Nurse.

If she had passed them, this conversation would be moot.

If you had read either my post or hers, you would understand what I said:

1. A GN does not have to work with supervision! Please read my post again.

2. What I was asking her was that since some facilities in Conn do not recognize GN status, can GNs gain employment and work as a nurse if they are not LVNs and have not taken and recieved their RN board results.

Wow, you really have to win don't you, ok you win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by austin heart

1. A GN does not have to work with supervision! Please read my post again.

Actually, according to our (TX) Nurse Practice Act, GNs do have to work under direct supervision of a licensed RN. Now once you pass boards you remain under direct supervision for 6 months unless a shorter amount of time is agreed upon by the new RN and the supervising RN and the new RN demonstrates competence to be independent, which should apply with an experienced LVN. So, while you might be offended about being supervised during an assessment, by not allowing for that supervision as a GN, you are hanging your license by the proverbial noose.

So back to the original post--the best thing you can do is check with your BON, or read your Nurse Practice act for CT.[

Specializes in med/surg,critical care,utilization manag.

Per Wikipedia:

A nurse's postnominal (listed after the name) credentials usually follow his or her name in this order:

  • Highest earned academic degree in or related to nursing (e.g. "MSN")
  • Nursing licensure (e.g. "RN")
  • Nursing certification (e.g. "CCRN")

Generally credentials are listed from most to least permanent. A degree, once earned, cannot be taken away. State licensure is only revoked for serious professional misconduct. Certifications generally must be periodically renewed by examination or the completion of a prescribed number of continuing education units (CEUs).

Therefore if you had a BSN with med/ surg certification then it would be BSN,RN-BC. I hope this clarifies it for you.:nurse:

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