What should your title look like?

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So why do so RN's put their degree first instead of RN? Are we not all RN's first and foremost, regardless of what degree from ADN to PhD we earn? Does the patient care that a nurse at the bedside has a specific degree?

There has been ONE document written by Mary C. Smolenski on how to write our nursing license and credentials. This one article has become the prime source of evidence for all nursing. It states that nurses nurses should sign their name:

Jane Doe, BSN, RN

I say that we should all put our degree first to be:

Jane Doe, RN, BSN.

What do you all think? Should we let academia and non-clinicians dictate how we sign our name?

:

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).
So why do so RN's put their degree first instead of RN? Are we not all RN's first and foremost, regardless of what degree from ADN to PhD we earn? Does the patient care that a nurse at the bedside has a specific degree?

There has been ONE document written by Mary C. Smolenski on how to write our nursing license and credentials. This one article has become the prime source of evidence for all nursing. It states that nurses nurses should sign their name:

Jane Doe, BSN, RN

I say that we should all put our degree first to be:

Jane Doe, RN, BSN.

What do you all think? Should we let academia and non-clinicians dictate how we sign our name?

:

I have to agree with Smolenski on this......degree first, then license, then certifications, etc.

Signed,

iteachob, MSN, RN, CNE

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, IMCU/Tele, HH/CM.

You are an RN first and foremost. You will always be an RN no matter how many extra degrees you earn.

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I sign mine jode RN, BSN

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I have to agree with Smolenski on this......degree first, then license, then certifications, etc.

Signed,

iteachob, MSN, RN, CNE

Do you mind if I ask why you support this?

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Specializes in ICU, trauma, gerontology, wounds.

Why does it matter? I usually sign mine - when I use the full title: RN,CNS,PhD,CCRN,ACNS-BC (I know - quite a mouthful of letters), but I don't really think it matters much.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I wish I remembered where, I'd have to do a search, but I remember reading somewhere that the college degree goes first because your academic degree cannot be taken away, but your license can be. Although I'm not sure why that makes a difference. At my workplace, we use only license on our name badge & I sign all documentation K Lastname, RN. My employer knows I have a BSN, and if my patients ask what degree I have, I'm happy to tell them, but the alphabet soup on name badges can get a little excessive.

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Gee, mine would look like this: Jane Doe, Mom, RN, AA as my first job is being a mom!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

APA format calls for degree first, professional title, then certifications.

In daily practice, I sign Jane Doe, RN. None of the rest matters in a chart. It may have some bearing in writing a professional paper or making a presentation as a speaker, though.

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).
You are an RN first and foremost. You will always be an RN no matter how many extra degrees you earn.

Actually.....a person could lose their license, but is unlikely to lose their degree!!

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

I do RN, BSN

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).
Do you mind if I ask why you support this?

Probably for as good a reason as supporting the other way around!!:twocents:

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