Silly but important question

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Nov 10, 2009

Keep it simple... First Last NP I think the extra soup just confuses everyone...

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Nov 10, 2009

I bought a new labcoat and want to have it embroidered. But I've gotten three different opinions from people about what exactly I should have embroidered on it.
Here is what I was told:
1) Alana (last name), MSN, APN
2) Alana (last name), APN
3) Alana (last name), APN-C
Now do I put "RN" in there anywhere?
Do I leave out the "MSN"?
And I live in NJ, does that make a different in the lettering?
Help please!!
:)
Alana

I agree with keeping it simple but you also have to realize what the legal abbreviation for a nurse practitioner/advanced practice nurse is in your state. I looked up New Jersey and it sounds like the Board of Nursing there uses the APN,C abbreviation for NP's. I recommend "First Name Last Name, APN,C".

Trauma Columnist · Nov 11, 2009

Agree - whatever your state says...

carachel2 · Nov 11, 2009

Why does a lab coat have to be all legal? In my opinion, the lab coat is for your patients to be able to identify your title. All the abbreviations are only going to create confusion. I plan to have:

X.X.

Family Nurse Practitioner

Easy and understandable by all.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Nov 11, 2009

Why does a lab coat have to be all legal? In my opinion, the lab coat is for your patients to be able to identify your title. All the abbreviations are only going to create confusion. I plan to have:
X.X.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Easy and understandable by all.

The OP was asking about what letters to use after her name not the title or designation below her name. State certification is what gives you the legal scope to practice as a NP, national certification and other titles do not. My state uses the "NP" as the legal letters in my state certification. My lab coat reads: "First, Last, NP" on the first line and "Critical Care Nurse Practitioner" on the second line.

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Nov 11, 2009

I've never heard of a lab coat being called into court. I think the docs and PAs have it right here, take my advice, keep it simple for your patients, peers and the public. I don't have the soup on my coat, just "NP" even though I'm a ANP-BC, NP-C.

But... documentation and business cards are not the same. Here's where Gilly hit the nail on the head and you can let your letters flow. I'd be hesitant about using APN, C. Confusing to say the least. In my state, the abbreviations are simply, APN. I never see it on anyone's lab coat, rarely anywhere else, because it simply doesn't tell the whole story. APN of what? F/A/G/P/ACNP, CNM, Psych, CNS, CRNA? I could not imagine any CRNA walking around with APN on their lab coat, nor anyone from Psych. Most of them are very proud to have earned their certs and wear them proudly on their coats. I don't blame them one bit.

So, really, it's up to you in my opinion. It's your coat, you're buying it, don't let the state tell you what you can wear on it. If you are proud (and somewhat conceited) then by all means, put all those letters above the pocket. I think over the next few years, you'll find it won't matter one bit. As for me, I like the simple, easy to understand approach. That's why I wear "first last NP" and below that, "Adult Health."

So, if you work in a specialty, then just add it below your name. I have two jobs and "Adult Health" works for both. Of course, I've had a few veteran's poke my lab coat and say,"Health! yeah right" and laugh out loud, so I may not have the perfect coat myself. They don't care if I'm a Adult, Family or Gero, as long as I try to take good care of them. I've never had anyone stop me and ask my focus. All that jazz is on the business card.

Good luck, just my $0.02

Trauma Columnist · Nov 12, 2009

In IL, the BON (IDPH for us) is extremely specific: traumarus, APN is what I have on my lab coats and that's it. On the other side, I have the practice logo.

And yes, in IL, when I have seen CRNAs, CNMs, NPs, CNSs, etc., they all have "APN" after their name.

It is all about what you are portraying to the public an (at least in IL) IDPH tells us what to portray to the public.

emtneel · Nov 15, 2009

But what about travellers then? I do locum tenens and have worked in MA, CA, and TX this year. I have a lab coat, required to wear at my current job, but prefer not to. I should get it embroidered because I introduce myself but don't have a name tag or anything.

I guess i'll just put name, FNP.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 15, 2009

That's what I would do too - just name and FNP.

BChapp3182 · Nov 16, 2009

I did just my name and under it "family nurse practitioner" Patients have no idea what ARNP, NP, FNP, -BC all that jazz mean. Keep it simple so a lay person will know who you are and what you do.