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 Down Vote Up Vote × About MQ Edna 1 Article 1,741 Posts Share this post Share on other sites