Nursing / Medical Abbreviations

Common nursing abbreviations for roles, educations, organizations, etc Nurses General Nursing Knowledge

Updated:  

Nursing / Medical Abbreviations

I have seen several questions regarding abbreviations that are nursing related, here are several I've seen, just thought I'd post them.

ART ~ Accredited Records Technician

A3M ~ Asians for Miracle Marrow Mathches

AACN ~ American Association of Critical Care Nurses

AADP ~ Asian American Donor Program

AAEM ~ American Academy of Emergency Physicians

AALNC ~ American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants

AAO ~ American Academy of Ophthalmology

AAPA ~ American Academy of Physician Assistants

AAPS ~ American Association of Physician Specialists

AAPT ~ American Association of Psychiatric Technicians, Inc.

AARC ~ American Association of Respiratory Care

AART ~ American Assoc. for Radiologic Technologists

AAS ~ Associate of Applied Science ( major is Nursing ); American Association of Suicidology

ABQAURP ~ American Board of Quality of Assurance & Utlization Review Physicians

ACCE ~ American College of Childbirth Educators ( ASPO / Lamaze )

ACE ~ American Council on Exercise

ACLS ~ Advanced Cardiac Life Support

ACNP ~ Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - USA

ACRN ~ Aids Certified Registered Nurse ( Awarded by the HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board )

ADN ~ Associate Degree of Nursing; Assistant Director of Nursing

ADON ~ Assistant Director of Nursing ( Australlia = level 4 )

A & E ~ Accident and Emergency (Australia)

AHA ~ American Heart Association; American Hospital Association

AHIP ~ Academy of Health Information Professionals

( part of Medical Library Association )

AIN ~ Assistant in Nursing ( Australia )

ALSO ~ Advanced Life Support and Obstetrics

AMA ~ American Medical Association

ANM ~ Assistant Nurse Manager

ANNA ~ American Nephrology Nurses Association

ANP ~ Adult Nurse Practitioner

AOCN = Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse May be NP or CNS, requires MS in nursing

AORN ~ Association of Operating Room Nurses ( USA )

APIC ~ Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology, Inc.

APLS ~ Advanced Pediatric Life Support

APN ~ Advanced Practice Nurse ( may be CNS, NP, CNM, or CRNA )

APNP ~ Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber

APRN = Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

ARN ~ Association of Rehabilitation Nurses

ARNP ~ Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

ARNP-BC, GNP ~ Advanced Registered Nurse Practice - Board Certified (ARNP-BC)

ASN ~ Associate in Science of Nursing

ASOPA ~ American Society of Orthopedic Physician

ASORN ~ American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses

( they operate out of the AAO )

ASPAN ~ American Society of Peri Anesthesia

ASPN ~ Associated Science of Practical Nursing

(A degree only given and recognized by the North Dakota Board of nursing)

AT ~ Art ( or Activity ) Therapist

ATLS ~ Advanced Trauma Life Support

BAA (N) ~ Bachelor of Applied Arts in Nursing

BAN ~ Bachelor of Arts in Nursing - College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN

BCLS ~ Basic Cardiac Life Support

B-I-R ~ Behavior / Intervention / Response ( form of POR - type of psy charting )

B-I-R-P ~ Behavior / Intervention / Response / Plan ( form of POR - type of psy charting )

BP ~ blood pressure

BRP ~ bathroom priviledges

Bsc.N ~ Bachelor of Science Nursing

BSN ~ Bachelor of Science Nursing

BSPA ~ Bachelor of Science Professional Arts

BIG ~ Dutch abbrevation apply to Registered Nurses

(Beroepen Individuele Gezondheidszorg)BCRTCFUSA ~ Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation USA

C ~ Certified (usually appears with another title )

Caremaps ~

( a documentation tool based on expected physician orders and outcomes that a patient will conform to )

CAPA - Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (an ASPAN Certification)

CARN ~ Certified Addictions Registered Nurse ( USA )

CAVH ~ Continuous Arterial Venous Hemofiltration

CBE ~ Certified Breastfeeding Educator

cc - cubic centimeter

CCC ~ Critical Care Nurse ( Australia )

CCHP ~ Certified Correctional Health Profession

CCM ~ Certified Case Manager

CCRN ~ Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse

CCS ~ Certified Coding Specialist

CCTC ~ Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator

CCU ~ Coronary Care Unit; Color Changing Unit; Community Care Unit

CDAC ~ Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor

CDDN ~ Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse

CDE ~ Certified Diabetes Educator

CDMS ~ Certified Disability Management Specialist (formaly CIRS: Certified Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist)

CDONA/LTC ~ Certified Director of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care

CEN ~ Certification for Emergency Nursing

CENAs ~ Competency Evaluated Nurse Aides

CETN ~ Certified Enterostomal Therapy Nurse

CFNP ~ Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

CGFNS ~ Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools

CGRN ~ Certified Gastroenterological Registered Nurse ( USA ); This certification encompasses most Special Procedures and invasive procedures related to the digestive system and its organs. Including the pancreas, liver, gallbladder etc..

CHES ~ Certified Health Education Specialist

CHN ~ Community Health Nurse; Certified Hemodiaysis Nurse

CHPN ~ Certified Hospice and Palliative Care

CHT ~ Certified Hemodialysis Technician; Certified Hyperbaric Technologist

CIC ~ Certified in Infection Control

CIRS ~ Certified Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist

CLCP ~ Certified Life Care Planner

CLLF ~ Cammy Lee Leukemia Foundation

CLNC ~ Certified Legal Nurse Consultant

CML ~ Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

CMT ~ Certified Medical Transcriptionist

CN ~ Clinical Nurse ( Auatralia = level 2 )

CNA ~ Certified Nurses Aid ; Certified Nursing Administration

CNAA ~ Certified Nursing Administration, Advanced

CNC ~ Clinical Nurse Consultant ( Australia = level 3 )

CNCC© ~ Certified Nurse, Critical Care (Canada)

CNeph© ~ Certified Nurse, Critical Care, Nephrology (Canada)

CNSD ~ Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian USA

CNS ~ Clinical Nurse Specialist

CNM ~ Certified Nurse Midwife

CNN ~ Certified Nephrology Nurse

CNN© ~ Certified Nurse, Critical Care, Neuroscience (Canada)

CNO - Chief Nursing Officer

CNOR ~ Certified Nurse Operating Room ( USA )

CNRN ~ Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse

CO ~ Certified Orthoptrist ( works with people with strabismus )

COA ~ Certified Ophthalmic Assistant

COHN ~ Certified Occupational Health Nurse

COHN© ~ Certified Nurse, Critical Care, Occupational Health (Canada)

COHN-S ~ Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist

COHC ~ Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist

COMT ~ Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist

CON© ~ Certified Nurse, Critical Care, Oncology (Canada)

COP ~ Center of Pressure; Colloid Osmotic Pressure; Community Outreach Program

CPMHN© ~ Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse (Canada)

COPS ~ Conditions of Participation ( guidelines for home care agencies and institutions to follow in order to participate in the Medicare Program )

COT ~ Certified Ophthalmic Technician

COTA ~ Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

CPAN ~ Certiried Peri Anesthesia Nurse ( Part of the organizations of ASPAN )

CPFT ~ Certified Pulmonary Function Technician

CPHQ ~ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality

CPN © ~ Certified Rerioperative Nurse ( Canada-is analogous to the CNOR in the USA ) ; Certified Pediatric Nurse

CPNP ~ Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

CPON ~ Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse

CPP ~ Certified Pain Practitioner - Nurses with BS degree are considered at clinical associate level. Credentialed by American Academy of Pain Management, 13947 Mono Way #A Sonora, CA 95370

CPR ~ Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CPT ~ Community Practice Teacher U.K. A community practitioner with a specific responsibility for teaching and assessing community practice students in the clinical environment.

CPTC ~ Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator

CRC ~ Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

CRA ~ Certified Retinal Angiogrpher

( certified by OPS to take photographs during ophthalmic fluorscein angiography )

CRANA ~ Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia

CRN ~ Certified Radiology Nurse

American Association of Radiology Nurses, certification is by experience + passing of an exam

CRNA ~ Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

CRNFA ~ Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant

CRNH ~ Certified Registered Nurse Hospice

CRNI ~ Certified Registered Nurse of Infusion; Certified Registered Nurse, Intravenous

CRNO ~ Certified Registered Nurse in Ophthalmology

CRNP ~ Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner

CRRN ~ Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse

CRTT ~ Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician

CS ~ Clinical Specialist CS; Certified Specialist

CSA ~ Certified Surgical Assistant ( in regards to the CSA (CERTIFIED SURGICAL ASSISTANT) their organization is the NSAA : (NATIONAL SURGICAL ASSISTANT ASSOCIATION) has been around since 1983 and has the oldest and for a long time the only surgical assistant program in the country at EVMS (EAST VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL) they used to be one in birmingham alabama but it became a surgical P.A. program several years ago. the orthopedic pa's were origanally started by the AAOS (ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS) a school program 2 years before the first PA program.)

CSN ~ Certified School Nurse

CST ~ Certified Surgical Technologist

CTN ~ Certified Transplant Nurse; Certified Transcultural Nurse

CHT RN ~ Certified Hyperbaric Technologist Registered Nurse

CTU ~ Contraceptive Technology Update

CUNP ~ Certified Urologic Nurse Practitioner

CUPA ~ Certified Urologic Physician Assistant

CURN ~ Certified Urologic Registered Nurse

CV ~ Career Vitae or Curriculum Vitae - an academic document which focuses more on accomplishments, achievements and special skills. It generally includes published works, presentations and other experiences and credentials beyond the average. A CV is generally used by those practicing in academia, research or other highly skilled areas. It can also be used by anyone who has experiences and achievements beyond the average. " Latin for the course of one's life. "

CVICU ~ Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

CVVH ~ Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration

CVVHD ~ Continuous Veno-Veno Hemodialysis

CWCN ~ Certified Wound Care Nurse

CWOCN ~ Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse

DISH ~ Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis Forrestier's Syndrome

DNSc ~ Doctor of Nursing Science

DO ~ Doctor of Osteopathy; Doctor of Ophthalmology; Diploma in Optometry; Diploma in Ophthalmology (UK)

DON ~ Director of Nursing ( Australia = level 5 )

DSN ~ Doctor of Science in Nursing. ~ This is not the same degree as a DNS or DNSc. Many universities that do not offer any PhD programs have approved DSN programs. It is generally accepted (except by some PhDs) that these programs are equivalent to PhD programs. The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Texas at Houston have DSN programs.

DTR ~ Dietetic Technician Registered Like an RD but with a two year degree instead of 4 year degree. U.S.

ED ~ Emergency Department

EdD ~ Doctorate of Education

EDF ~ Emergency Department Physician

EMT-1 ~ Emergency Medical Technician 1 ( Basic )

EMT-P ~ Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic

EN ~ Enrolled Nurse ( Australia )

ENA ~ Emergency Nurses Association

ENC© ~ Certified Nurse, Critical Care, Emergency (Canada)

ENPC ~ Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course ( similar to PACLS )

ER ~ Emergency Room

ET ~ Enterostomal Therapist

FAAN ~ Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

FACCE ~ Fellow in the American College of Childbirth Educators

FACCP ~ Fellow American College of Chest Physicians

( associate fellowships available to allied health practitioners )

FHI ~ Family Health International ( nonprofit research on reproductive health )

FNP ~ Family Nurse Practitioner

FS ~ Flying Surgeon (Australia)

FTEs ~ Full Time Equivalents

( used when a personnel budget is set up in an organization pretaining to direct patient care staffing, unit assistants, etc. and indirect patient care - Managers, Secretary, Educator )

GN ~ Graduate Nurse ( has not passed state boards )

GNC© ~ Certified Nurse, Critical Care,Gerontology (Canada)

GNP ~ Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

GP Cas ~ General Practice Casualty (Australia)

HBOV ~ Hogere Beroeps Opleiding Verpleegkunde

(Dutch) - Higher Professional Education in Nursing

HACC ~ High Altitude Chronic Cardiopath

HCFA ~ Health Care Financing Association

( a Medicare/Medicaid division of the federal government that oversees reimbursement issues / under the Social Security Administration )

HHA ~ Home Health Aide

HNC ~ Holistic Nurse Certified by the American Holisitic Nurses Assn.

HPPD ~ (total) Hours Per Patient Day ( includes direct and indirect care givers )

IBCLC ~ International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (International usage)

ICN ~ Infection Control Nurse

ICP ~ Infection Control Practitioner

ICU ~ Intensive Care Unit

IMC ~ Intermediate Care Unit

IAFN ~ International Association of Forensic Nurses

IACP ~ International Association of Computer Professionals

INCC ~ Intravenous Nurses Certification Corporation

INS ~ Intravenous Nurses Society

ITNS ~ International Transplant Nurses Society

IVCS ~ IntraVenous Conscious Sedation ( a type of anesthesia where the patient has a altered level of consciousness but remains awake and able to protect their own airway );

Intrapelvic Venous Congestive Syndrome; Inferior Vena Cava Syndrome

JCAHO ~ Joint Commission Accrediation of Heatlth Care Organizations

JCAHPO ~ Joint Commission Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology

JD ~ Doctor of Jurisprudence; Doctor of Laws; Juvenile Diabetes

KECHN ~ Kenya Enrolled Community Health Nurse

KTPPP ~ Kidney Transplant Patient Partnering Program

LC ~ Lactation Consultant

LCCE ~ Lamze Certified Childbirth Educator

LCDC ~ Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

LCSW ~ Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LNC ~ Legal Nurse Consultant

LP ~ Lecturer Practitioner U,K. A clinician, acute or community with a dual or shared role within both an academic and clinical environment

LPC ~ Licensed Professional Counselor

LPN ~ Licensed Practical Nurse

LPT ~ Licensed Psychiatric Technician

LRCT ~ Licensed Respiratory Care Technician; Lab/Radiology Combined Technician

LRCP ~ Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner

LTC ~ Long Term Care

LVN ~ Licensed Vocational Nurse

MA ( WS ) ~ Master of Arts ( Women's Studies )

MBA ~ Masters of Business Administration

MD ~ Doctor of Medicine

ME ~ Medical Examiner

MEd ~ Masters of Education

MFCC ~ Marriage Family ( and ) Child Counselor

MGZ -AGZ ~ Maatschappelijke gezondheidszorg, richting Algemene Gezondheidszorg

- ( Dutch - I.e Community Health Care, General Community Nursing)

MGZ -GGZ ~ Maatschappelijke gezondheidszorg, richting Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg -

- (Dutch - I.e Community Health Care, Community Psychiatric Nursing, also SPV

MHA ~ Masters in Health Care Administration

MICN ~ Mobile Intensive Care Nurse

MICU ~ Medical Intensive Care Unit; Myocardial Infarction Care Unit

MLA ~ Medical Library Association ~

This is the organization that does the credentialing for the Academy of Health Professionals. Those who wish to join may do so a year at a time and receive their various newsletters and bulletins; they may also be members of state chapters and sections within MLA. The Adacemy of Health Professionals is a part of MLA where members may submit their vitaes, and other items requested by this organization. A committee reviews these materials and dependent on points, time involved in the profession may grant the person membership to the Academy. The membership will be reviewed every 5 years. Members wishing to attain a higher grade must show increased responsibility in their profession.

MLS ~ Master in Library Science

MN ~ Master of Nursing. ~ Another degree previously conferred by the University of Pittsburgh and several other graduate schools. Students who did not do a thesis earned this degree; those who completed a thesis earned the MSN.

MNEd ~ Master of Nursing Education. ~ This degree was awarded by the University of Pittsburgh; It is no longer being conferred.

MPA ~ Master of Public Administration ~ The public sector equivalent of othe MBA for administrative/managerial nurses in governmental office. There is a health care focus option for this degree at some Graduate Schools

MPH ~ Masters in Public Health

MS ~ Master of Science; Master of Sociology; Master of Surgery

MSA ~ Master's of Science in Administration

MSN ~ Master of Science in Nursing

MSP ~ Master of Psychology

MST ~ Therapeutic Massage Therapist

MSW ~ Master of Social Work; Master of Social Welfare; Medical Social Worker ( Britain )

NACHR ~ National Association of Health Care Recruiters

NA ~ Nurse Aide ( without certification )

NAEMSP ~ National Association of EMS Physician

NAHQ ~ Healthcare Quality Certification Board

NALS ~ Neonatal Advanced Life Support

NBCOPA ~ National Board for Certification of Orthopedic Physician Assistants

NCC ~ Nationally Certified Counselor

NCCU ~ Neurosurgicial Critical Care Unit

NCPT ~ Nationally Certified Psychiatric Technician

NCSN ~ National Certified School Nurse

ND ~ Doctor of Nursing / Nutritional Doctor

A professional doctorate not to be confused with the DNSc or PhD. It is currently offered at Case Western Reserve University, where it was first offered in 1979, Rush University, and University of Colorado.; also ND also stand for Nutritional Doctors, used primarily in the Alternative herbal or homeopathic fields of study

NEA ~ National Education Association

NENA ~ National Emergency Nurses Affiliation

NEO ~ Neonatologist

NFPA ~ National Fire Protection Association

NGA ~ Notice of Grant Award

NH ~ Nursing Home

NICs ~ Nursing Interventions Classifications

NICU ~ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Neuro - Intensive Care Unit

NIH ~ National Institute of Health ( US )

NNNHP ~ Nurses' Network for a National Healthcare Plan

NNP ~ Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

NOC ~ Nursing Ourcomes Classifications

NP ~ Nurse Practitioner US; Nurse Prescriber U.K. Currently a Community Nurse or Health Visitor who following qualification can prescribe from a limited Nurse Formulary

NPP ~ Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner ( USA )

NREMT-1 ~ National Registry EMT-1

NREMT-P ~ National Registry EMT-P

NRLC ~ National Right to Life Committee

NSAA ~ National Surgical Assistant Association

NSYICU ~ Nursery Intensive Care Unit

NVSPV ~ Nederlandse Vereniging van Sociaal Psychiatrisch verpleegkundigen -

(The Dutch Association of Community Psychiatric Nurses )

NZNO ~ New Zwaland Nurses Organization

OASIS ~ Outcome & Assessment Information Set; Osteotomy Analysis & Simulation Software; The Older Alabamians System of Information & Services;

a data set developed by HCFA for data collection on patients

OB ~ Obstetrics

OGNP ~ Obstetrical Gynecological Nurse Practitioner

OHICU ~ Open Heart Intensive Care Unit

OAM ~ Acute Otitis Media

OCN ~ Oncology Certified Nurse

ONC ~ Orthopaedic Nurse Certified

OPA-C ~Orthopedic Physician Assistant - Certified

OPS ~ Ophthalmic Photographic Society

OR ~ Operating Room

OTR ~ Occupational Therapist, Registered

PA ~ Physician Assistant

PA-C ~ Physician Assistant-Certified

PACU ~ Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

PALS ~ Pediatric Advanced Life Support

PC ~ Personal Carer ( Australia )

PCT ~ Pulmonary Care Team

PCU ~ Progressive Care Unit

Ph.D ~ Doctor of Philosophy

PHN ~ Public Health Nurse

PICC ~ Peripherally - inserted Central Catheter

PICU ~ Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit; Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

PMH-NP ~ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

PN ~ Parish Nurse

PNP ~ Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Portfolio ~ CV with evidence of an outcome documenting each thing listed on the CV

POV ~ Point of View; Postoperative Vomiting; Peroxide value or ocular pulse volumes

PT ~ Physical Therapist

PTCA ~ Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

RCNA ~ Royal College of Nursing Australia

RCPT ~ Registered Cardiopulmonary Technologist

RCT ~ Registered Care Technician

qid ~ 4 times a day

Resume ~ 1-2 page document focuses on work experience -

Most commonly used by individuals seeking traditional employment, who have average experiences. " French meaning summary. "

RD ~ Registered Dietitian USA

RDMS ~ Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonograger (Ultrasound)

RFDS ~ Royal Flying Doctor Service ( Australia )

RGN ~ Registered General Nurse ( Educated in England before project 2000 outlined by UKCC; originally was SCOTTISH Registration, and still is, long before it was relatively recently adopted in England as a more accurate replacement for SRN (State Registered Nurse).

RHIA ~ Registered Health Information Administrator (replaces RRA)

RHIT ~ Registered Health Information Technician (replaces ART)

RHV ~ Registered Health Visitor U.K. registration for those working predominately in public health. A specific role acquired following a Bachelor degree in Community Health - Specialist practice in public health

RKT ~ Registered Kinesiotherapist

RM ~ Registered Midwife ( Australia )

RMN ~ Registered Mental Health Nurse England United Kingdom (project 2000).

RMG ~ Registered Mental Nurse ( trained before project 2000 outline by UKCC)

RN ~ Registered Nurse ( Australia = level 1 / all disciplines trained via Project 2000 outline by UKCC)

RNAC ~ Registered Nurse Assessment Coordinator Current title for all Long Term Care nurses who function as MDS Coordinators in the U.S.

RNC ~ Registered Nurse Certified

( used by nurses who are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center & have 2 year associate degree )

RN BC ~ Registered Nurse Board Certified

( used by nurses who are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center & have a baccalaureate degree or above)

RNFA ~ Registered Nurse First Assistant

( assist the surgeon in surgery - suturing, hemostasis, exposure, pre & post op ... )

RNMH ~ Registered Nurse Mental Handicap ( trained before project 2000 outline by UKCC)

RNR ~ Registered Nurse Recruiter

RPFT ~ Registered Pulmonary Function Technician

RPN ~ Registered Professional Nurse; Registered Psychiatric Nurse ( Canada ) , Registered Practical Nurse ( Ontario, Canada )

RPSGT ~ Registered PolySomnoGraphic Technician.

R & R ~ Rural & Remote (Australia)

RRT ~ Registered Respiratory Therapist; Registered Recreational Therapist; Registered Rehabilitation Therapist; Registered Respiratory Therapist

RT ~ Respiratory Technician

SAEM ~ Society of Academic Emergency Medicine

SPV ~ Sociaal Psychiatrisch Verpleegkunige

(Dutch) - I.e. Community Psychiatric Nurse

SCVICU ~ Surgical and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

SICU ~ Surgical Intensive Care Unit

SLE ~ Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

SN ~ Student Nurse; Scrubb Nurse

SOP ~ Standard Operating Procedures

SRN ~ State Registered Nurse

used instead of RGN by General Nurses who qualified under the General Nursing Council before the creation of the UKCC by the Nurses Midwives and Health Visitor' Act 1979.

ST ~ Surgical Technologist ( non certified ) ; Speech Therapist

stat ~ immediately

sx ~ symptoms

TNCC ~ Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum ( basic trauma resuscitation course )

UAP ~ Unlicensed Assistive Personnel

USAID ~ United States Agency for International Development

VHPPD ~ Variable Hours Per Patient Day

vs ~ vital signs

( used in a personnel budget in an organization )

WER ~ Weekly Epidemiological Record

WHCNP ~ Womens Health Care Nurse Practitioner

WHNP ~ Womens Health Nurse Practitioner

WOCN ~ Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse

1 Article   1,741 Posts

Share this post


Share on other sites
Specializes in ER, PACU, OR.

wow! i can't beleive you typed these all up? unless you cut and pasted?

........and you do what with your spare time? lol!

me :)

Here are a few additional abbreviations that you might come across in nursing (some are duplicates of those originally posted with different meanings):

LNCC ~ Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (This is the certification offered through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants/AALNC. The Vickie Milazzo Institute/National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants offers the CLNC Certification, and I think was the first credentialing entity for certified legal nurse consultants.)

CRA ~ Clinical Research Associate

CCRA ~ Certified Clinical Research Associate

CCRP ~ Certified Clinical Research Professional

CRC ~ Clinical Research Coordinator

CCRC ~ Certified Clinical Research Coordinator

Wow!!!!!.........

Sheeesh! My AAS is a sister to the American Association of Suicidology, well, on second thought....... :chuckle

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

There are sites that list all the above and probably more abbreviations.

Found them not too long ago.

Specializes in Critical care.

I can speak to one of the abbreviations...CCRN does not stand for Certified critical care registered nurse...This is a mistake that people make...Go to the AACN website for validation (https://www.aacn.org) click on certification. CCRN is just a trademark tha rthe certification corp. has for those who pass the exam.

To imply that ccrn stands for certified critical care registered nurse implies that the person was certified as an RN in critical care and that is not how it works...

I am impressed with the list there are many abbrviations out there....I hope you copied and pasted.....

I am right now printing out those abbreviations. They will come in handy.

Thanks nurse Karen! Now Im hoping nurses round the world understand that might be some problems or difficulties when we ordinary RN's are trying to understand your system, certificatients, abbreviatiens, dresscodes at work (color/scrubs or not scrubs), rules and regulations not in one state,but in the US, UK, Canada all together....

MAYBE ITS A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO DEFINE WHAT NURSING REALLY IS...

I THINK THE PT DOESNT CARE ABOUT ALL THIS STUFF. THEY WANT A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM, POLITENESS, DIGNITY AND A HUMAN BEEING WHO SEEMS TO LISTEN, DO SOMETHING, AND CARE.

May I ask if someone can answer me what NURSING IS:) :) ?

ISNT IT ABOUT 1) COMMUNICATION and 2) COVER FOR SOME NEEDS RELATED TO NURSING...?

Hi everyone! I'm new to the site and blown away by the amount of information and "brain power" available. Can anyone hlep me come up with a list of Hospice Abbreviations? Lots of lists out there but lI'm looking for something more specific to end of life, palliative care. Thanks so much!:)

Specializes in ER / Trauma.

RN, WCCM

Worker's Compensation Care Manager.

Specializes in ER-Adult and Peds, also ICU.

Can anyone tell me how to enroll in the TNS classes. Trauma Nurse Specialist. I have found CATN II which stands for Certified Advanced Trauma Nurse. I live is Misouri. I am starting to wonder if TNS was replace with the CATN II. Wow what a list. Thanks it is very informative. :banghead:

TBH