Stop The Title Madness

ann945n, RN · May 14, 2008

I would say there is a valid reason to list every credential after your name when writing an article. It goes to show area of experience and taining to let the readers know where the back ground of the article is coming from and that the author was qualified to write it. Makes sense to me. Now if this was how someone signed there name every time every place then ya, theres an ego trip.

Dolce, RN · May 14, 2008

I like the name badges that have the name in big letters and "registered nurse" in big letters. That is all patients care about. All the other titles and abbreviations should be in much smaller print, if at all, on the badge.

labcat01, BSN, RN · May 14, 2008

IMPORTANT: Your degree(s) always come before your licensure. The theory behind this is that a degree can never be taken away, but a license can always be revoked. For example, signing one's name with "Jane Doe, RN, BSN" is not correct. "Jane Doe, BSN, RN" is the proper way to sign the name.

Thank you! That is one of my biggest pet peeves!

Karynica, RN · May 14, 2008

the only thing I question is why would someone want to put LPN on their name tag if they are a registered nurse? That one makes no sense to me.

allnurses Guide · May 14, 2008

that's very interesting, I always thought it was the other way around, why then do we not see MD's do the same, i.e. MD,PhD,BS,EMT,GED ()???
Where's tiredMD for feedback!!

The protocol is the thing that is least able to be taken away, such as a scholastic degree, comes first. A license is more easily lost (such as not doing your CEUs and letting it lapse), so it is listed after the degree. BSN, RN. National credentials, such as CEN or CCRN, are even more easily lost, simply by not taking the recert course, so they are last.

And, as mentioned above, only the highest level of degree is listed, because it is presumed you have the degrees needed to progress to them (even if not all in nursing).

My hospital put the BSN on my name badge, it reads RN, CNIII, BSN. Guess I should have given them the above mini-lecture! :lol2:

But no, I don't wear the other letters (ACLS, etc.) I already get asked if I'm Norwegian with the name of "JO, RN" (hey, Yorn!). I have to point out the comma in there:clown:

RN1982 · May 14, 2008

No, you won't because it is not correct. The ADN is replaced by the BSN, which is then replaced by the MSN. Thus once you have the MSN you are only Katie MSN, RN, ACNP.
The only time people list AS or BS degrees is when they are unrelated to the HIGHER degree. For example, MBA, BS where the BS is in biology. Otherwise, it is considered redundant.
OP: I agree with the other posters, if a person publishing an article all education and certification should be listed to show proof of expertise. If he/she is just writing an email unrelated to credentials or whatever, then the long list is not necessary. So, Betty Crazyone, RN, Director of Oncology is enough in email but I want to see Betty Crazyone, MSN, RN, AOCN if the person is an author of an article I plan to use for one of my nursing school assignments!
Future [insert my name here] PhD, MBA, MSN, BA, RN [insert long list of certifications here]

Whatever, I didn't know.

Miss Mab · May 14, 2008

Why are many nurses OBSESSED with initials after their names?
I could sign with LPN ADN BSN BA MSN CCRN CRNA APN.... but i think CRNA is all that is required.

Yeah, but you'd look stupid.

OK, so of you didn't know before, you do now that yours should read:

MSN, BA, CCRN, CRNA....

Is that really in danger of being an ego claim? Although personally I'd leave off the CCRN, but that's just me.

Non relevant or incorrect initials should always be left off. But let's not fall into the trap of devaluing ourselves or each other because it seems funny and cute to do so. And don't stand by when others belittle those hard earned accomplishments either.

Ah, who am I kidding....

Mab BA, BSN, RN ......(for now)

nurseby07 · May 14, 2008

There's a nurse who I work with who has all of his credentials stitched across his uniform and frankly, he looks like a dork, coupled with the fact that he is a conceited jerk.

John, ADN, BSN, MSN, CCRC It's in huge print too, so it starts at the sternum and ends near the armpit.

queenjean · May 14, 2008

NOW THAT IS THE SPIRIT!!!!!,,,
How about RN BDSM

I totallly love the BDSM. We were thinking TPITA as in "total pain in the a**". Or something internet/text-y, like OMG. As in Jean, RN OMG (probably couldn't get them to put an exclamation mark after it, but I could write that in).

Or something like CVT--certified volkswagen technician. Except that I am not.

But I do have some sort of special language certification--uhm, something like CGD, basically meaning certified in business German. There's nothing funny about business German, though.

Mahage, LPN · May 14, 2008

Well, I just completed my BSN program. I plan to go to HR as soon as I get my diploma and get my badge changed because my BSN is relevant to my nursing practice. They know I have a MSW (Master in Social Work) and I am a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) but since I don't really care to confuse the patients or family members, I don't wear those titles. I could be Mahage, LCSW,MSW,BSW,BSN,RN! LOL! I would never get my med rounds made I fear.....

Mahage, BSN, RN:nurse:

lorbal · May 14, 2008

I think everyone should be proud of the level of education they have achieved and if they want to use their title, so be it. However, when someone asks what I do and I tell them I am a nurse, and their response is "are you an RN?" and my reply is "I'm an LPN"; their response is simply "Oh", that is irritating. I am proud to be an LPN and I take wonderful care of my residents; that should matter.

aeauooo · May 14, 2008

Most patients aren't interested in your resume, and neither are your coworkers.

I believe certification is relevent to both patients and coworkers. I wouldn't use 'ACLS' as a credential, but for CCRNs and other nursing specialties (CNRN); I believe we are justified in 'advertising' our expertise.