What's In A Name Badge?

[TruvyNurse]

Hi All! (I can feel the flames already)

This is sort of a vent post and my curiosity on all of you wonderful ladies and gentlemen's take on the subject...NOT AN ADN vs BSN bullcrap argument, so please NONE of that. :)

I have my BSN. I went to a 4 year program. When I got my first job 3 years ago the hospital automatically put RN-BSN on my name badge. Never did I catch so much cattiness and people assuming I felt "superior." NOT THE CASE AT ALL. I didn't even ask for it to be on my badge. I had one LPN who constantly made snide comments "BSN my a**, she knows nothing." New grads were supposed to know it all I guess?? *eye roll*

FAST FORWARD to the present. I accepted a new job at another hospital. HR asked what I wanted on my badge. I told them "please just put RN. I don't want BSN." I just want to avoid anyone thinking that I have some chip on my shoulder. I do not want to come off snobbish. I am not saying those who want BSN on their badge are snobbish but in my experience this is how it's perceived. I do not feel I am any better than an ADN prepared nurse. They are wonderful!!

What is everyone's take on this? Anyone been in a similar situation?

[TruvyNurse]

The LPN's negative comments may have been a reflection of her personal resentments. During my years as an LPN, I never made catty comments to my RN counterparts because I felt secure in my role.

Anyhow, I worked with an insecure LPN for 5+ years. She would always comment on how "stupid" some of the RNs were. She would also portray herself as a super-nurse. This particular LPN feverishly wanted to earn her RN license, but could not return to school due to defaulted student loans and financial issues.

In all likelihood it made her feel temporarily better to insult other nurses and elevate her own abilities rather than focus on her own nursing practice and/or address the issues in her personal life.

Yes you are right. At first it did bug me as a new nurse but my skin got thicker over the years and I shrugged it off. I just wanted to avoid the same BS at a new facility. Ya know?

[Jules A, MSN]

Personally I didn't find nursing school all that rigorous so my own academic accomplishments don't really impress me. Perhaps it is because I started as a LPN but I could care less what my badge says and tend to believe the excessive alphabet soup some in nursing cling so furiously to is comparable to the extra large truck tires with no muffler. They can put whatever they want on my badge as long as my check is deposited in my account accurately and on time.

OP if your facility doesn't dictate a policy I think you made a wise choice.

[heinz57]

@Jules

A college degree should not be considered just "alphabet soup". There is a big difference between working towards something for 4 years vs a weekend CE.

[TriciaJ, RN]

@Jules

A college degree should not be considered just "alphabet soup". There is a big difference between working towards something for 4 years vs a weekend CE.

I don't think Jules is slamming the college education. But there are many who do cling to the ostentatious alphabet soup. I once had med-surg certification. My credentials then were RN, CMSRN. There was no way I was going to sign my name like that or walk around with it on a badge. A college degree would have been fine if I'd had one. But all the assorted flotsam and jetsam: no.

[JBudd, MSN]

My hospital puts just the first name on the big white area of our badges, next to a facial photo, with credentials on a lower line. Then a large 2nd piece of plastic behind it with extra large "RN" or "PCT" hanging below the bottom edge of the top badge, to make it jump out what your job is. The backing piece also protects the magnetic strip on the back of the badge, where your employee number and full name are in small print. Didn't take long to get used to flipping up the badge to swipe in or open doors.

Mine says MSN, RN on the credentials line; I worked hard for it and I wanted it there. Doesn't make much difference, I mentioned my masters to a patient who was chatting with me, and the NP in the room said with surprise "you have your master's?" (not in a bad way). Yep, right there on the badge.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I worked in one hospital that put all of your educational credentials on your badge -- including my MBA, which had nothing to do with my job as an ICU nurse. The rare person who actually noticed it thought it was a joke.

[heinz57]

I don't think Jules is slamming the college education. But there are many who do cling to the ostentatious alphabet soup. I once had med-surg certification. My credentials then were RN, CMSRN. There was no way I was going to sign my name like that or walk around with it on a badge. A college degree would have been fine if I'd had one. But all the assorted flotsam and jetsam: no.

Why assume what someone thinks? Allow that person to defend their own post. Just like what was described by the OP, assuming RNs with a BSN know it all or are snobs is a stereotyping with a broad stroke.

I clearly stated in my post that a BSN taking 4 years is not the same as a CE or in your case a certificate.

CEs and certs expire. A degree does not. You can also have your RN license revoked but will still have a college which will still open doors.

[BSN16]

Here we are allowed to add BSN, CCRN, TNCC, any special certifications. My feelings about it are...absolutely add it! Be proud of your degrees or certifications that you have worked very hard for!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Never had HR ask. My credentials are earned and included behind by name.

You have earned your BSN, wear it proudly.

[Jules A, MSN]

@Jules

A college degree should not be considered just "alphabet soup". There is a big difference between working towards something for 4 years vs a weekend CE.

Who said anything about weekend CEs? My opinion, which apparently differs from your opinion and thats cool, is that all these letters are self-inflated overkill whether college degrees or not they add up to alphabet soup. As I said although I put in time I personally didn't find it all that difficult and while I'm relatively proud of my accomplishments I don't care if others are impressed so again just the bare bones is fine with me.

Jules A, NP or perhaps Jules A, LPN, ADN, BSN, MS, PMH-CRNP, BC, FNP-CRNP-BC

[heinz57]

Who said anything about weekend CEs? My opinion, which apparently differs from your opinion and thats cool, is that all these letters are self-inflated overkill whether college degrees or not they add up to alphabet soup. As I said although I put in time I personally didn't find it all that difficult and while I'm relatively proud of my accomplishments I don't care if others are impressed so again just the bare bones is fine with me.

Jules A, NP or perhaps Jules A, LPN, ADN, BSN, MS, PMH-CRNP, BC, FNP-CRNP-BC

"I" used the term weekend CE.

Why would you list ALL of your degrees and certs? Why continue to use LPN if you are an RN or NP? A BSN or MSN is higher than ADN and it is in the same profession. There is actually an etiquette to listing degrees, titles and credentials. If you followed it and cleaned up that alphabet soup behind your name, it might actually turn out to be impressive. As you have it listed, you have LPN as your working title and license by listing it first. If you were actually an NP, that would be the first licensed title after name or highest education. An NP is usually proud of "NP" and does not place a much lower license in front of it.

The OP stated BSN. That is a degree and not all the "alphabet".

[Jules A, MSN]

Why would you list ALL of your degrees and certs? Why continue to use LPN if you are an RN or NP? .

Beeeeecause I worked so hard for those letters and am very proud of them! Actually all joking aside my LPN was the most rigorous program of them all. Starting with my BSN they became embarrassingly easy and fwiw I went to well respected state schools.