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?
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
My facility just has our first name and "RN." When I sign nursing documentation, I just sign it "RN" (I should actually sign it "RNC" but usually I forget).
The only place all my initials are displayed are in my email signature file and my business cards.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
And we won't talk about how attentive I'll be when I see that MSN. Quite a conversation starter. But that does not take away from those very smart and experienced people without the letters.
See, that's just silly. Why would you afford a nurse more attention/respect simply because of the letters behind her name?
Your second statement is negated by your first, in spite of your protests to the contrary.
This is........weird and unfortunate some people need to find something to pick on people about. I have not experienced this. Most nurses I work with have a BSN but I have never seen anyone comment on those that do not. I had a preceptor on a step-down unit who was a diploma-prepared RN with 20+ years of experience. She was amazing and no one put her down for lack of a BSN.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
Quite the topic here, to no surprise. Because all of the facilities I have worked at are Magnet status, they have automatically included my degree, licensure, and my CPN certification. Sure I worked hard for all three but if they all were not on there I wouldn't be upset.
I do like the hospitals that have the role of the employee very visible, such as RN, APN, MD, CNA, etc. I especially like the card that goes behind the employee badge with this role very visible and in different colors for each role. It has nothing to do with determining "status" but rather I think it helps clear up some confusion for both patients, families, and staff when trying to figure out who everyone is.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
This is........weird and unfortunate some people need to find something to pick on people about. I have not experienced this. Most nurses I work with have a BSN but I have never seen anyone comment on those that do not. I had a preceptor on a step-down unit who was a diploma-prepared RN with 20+ years of experience. She was amazing and no one put her down for lack of a BSN.
Amen to that! I worked with many diploma-prepared RNs with decades of experience at one of the biggest pediatric teaching facilities in the Midwest, and they were amazing.
Really if people want to boast about their "status," number of years of experience should be placed on the badge. Because during a code situation I will take a diploma-prepared RN with 22 years of experience over a BSN or even MSN with 2-3 years of experience any day.
So far we only have our first name and RN on our badges, but a local competitor has both first and last names on their badges which I'm glad we don't do. Would be worried about a stalker situation. So far only recent new grads have had to sign a contract to get their BSN or lose their job after three years. They need to do this while working full time. Many are already in lots of student loan debt from either expensive private colleges or getting an ADN as a second degree after getting a prior Bachelors in another field. I feel for them. Admin hasn't tried to force other RN's to get a BSN, although I have heard this has happened in some places around the country.
See, that's just silly. Why would you afford a nurse more attention/respect simply because of the letters behind her name?
Your second statement is negated by your first, in spite of your protests to the contrary.
The first two sentences were from a patient's point of view. I always look at badges and credentials. I also tend to look up MD experience and interests. Like I said "a conversation starter." The next sentence was from a colleague point of view.
Because I believe in obtaining as much formal education as you can, I'm always happy to see evidence on my colleagues' badges.
The purpose of a name badge to communicate who you are and your role, if clarifying that you have a BSN is necessary in defining your role, which is it is in a relatively small number of situations, then it should be on there.
Otherwise though, the alphabet soup we like to put after our names sends a message that I'm not sure we really want to send. One of which is that we can't be proud of being an "RN", we instead have to add misdirection in the form of a collection of "flair" on our suspenders. It also seems to be more of a petty way of making sure people know that unlike stupid sally the ADN nurse down the hall, I have a BSN.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Otherwise though, the alphabet soup we like to put after our names sends a message that I'm not sure we really want to send. One of which is that we can't be proud of being an "RN", we instead have to add misdirection in the form of a collection of "flair" on our suspenders.
You know, the Nazis had flair they made the Jews wear.
The purpose of a name badge to communicate who you are and your role, if clarifying that you have a BSN is necessary in defining your role, which is it is in a relatively small number of situations, then it should be on there.
Otherwise though, the alphabet soup we like to put after our names sends a message that I'm not sure we really want to send. One of which is that we can't be proud of being an "RN", we instead have to add misdirection in the form of a collection of "flair" on our suspenders. It also seems to be more of a petty way of making sure people know that unlike stupid sally the ADN nurse down the hall, I have a BSN.
We're RNs, there's plenty of pride in that.
Well said! I'm thrilled to work in a facility that keeps it simple for the patients: I'm a nurse, an advance-practice nurse, a doctor, an aide, or a respiratory tech, etc., etc. More than that is unnecessarily confusing to patients and families. Patients and peers have no need to know how you prepared for your nursing license. Both populations already know from experience who has mastered the position and who has not.
nursing school is HARD! Hard to get in, hard to stay in, hard to finish & hard to pass nclex. If you make it & graduate w/ your BSN , then you should wear your credentials proudly. Alot of people would die to have accomplished that.
klone, MSN, RN
14,857 Posts
My facility just has our first name and "RN." When I sign nursing documentation, I just sign it "RN" (I should actually sign it "RNC" but usually I forget).
The only place all my initials are displayed are in my email signature file and my business cards.