RN, BSN or BSN, RN

[LegzRN]

This is dumb, but I have OCD when it comes to certain things, especially proper grammar. Not grammar between friends, or on forums or text messages, but things you'd like to make formal such as resumes and emails to supervisors.

Years ago I've always noticed nursing post-nominals as "license, degree, certification." Now I'm witnessing a lot of people with BSN, RN or PhD, RN. Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursing_credentials_and_certifications (not the best reference, I know) has it listed as "highest degree, license, certification" with the rationale as being no one can take a degree away from you, a license can be revoked as can a certification with the former being less likely to be lost.

What say you, oh great ones of AN?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

There are two schools of thought. The first says "license, degree, certification" (with only the most recent of each being used and license and/or degree always being used). The second says "in order of when you got them."

How's that for confusing? Lots of employers only let you use one, and they like you to use your highest license or the license that pertains to your job description.

[delawaremalenurse]

In this case Wikipedia is correct.

Think of it like this...last one listed is the easiest to take away/lose

[RoyalPrince]

BSN, RN

[SitcomNurse, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN]

BSN, RN-BC, CDP

Degree, Licence, Certification. (in this case, board certification and 2nd certification that is not board certified)

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I do degree, license. I know it's a common convention in nursing to do RN, BSN but it makes me mildly annoyed every time I see it.

I only use my degree in formal things and on my resume- at work I sign everything Hiddencat RN.

[noahsmama]

To me this goes in the same category as worrying about whether there should be two spaces or just one after each period in a paragraph -- I know people who are passionate (no joke) about each side of that issue.

Life is too short to worry about stuff like this!

Noahsmama, BA, PhD, BSN, RN, PHN (in order earned)

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

RN, BSN. You are first and foremost an RN, no matter your degree. You might have several degrees in different things (I do). But if you are posting your name in reference to nursing, the RN comes first. I mean, I wouldn't put my name, then my different degrees, then my RN, in a nursing situation.