When can I sign FNP after my name?

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5 Answers

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide

juan de la cruz, MSN, RN, NP

9 Articles; 4,338 Posts

Specializes in APRN, Adult Critical Care, General Cardiology. Has 31 years experience.

The state you work in gives you the privilege to practice within the scope of an NP. If you don't have state certification, you can't use the NP credential even if you're nationally certified. Many states if not all have legal protection for using the NP title or credential.

If you're working as an RN, it would be of your benefit not to add the NP title with your name even if you are state certified. This contributes to role-confusion and makes it appear that you are practicing as an NP. Legally, you're more prone to be held to the standard of an NP in terms of liability because you are using the title.

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traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

165 Articles; 21,216 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU. Has 31 years experience.

Depends on what your state says.

In IL, you have to have your APN license in hand before you can sign APN (what we use in IL for: NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA).

If you are working as an RN, you would sign RN versus FNP because your job and scope of practice would be that of an RN rather than APN.

BTW congratulations.

BabyLady, BSN, RN

2,300 Posts

Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
juan de la cruz said:
The state you work in gives you the privilege to practice within the scope of an NP. If you don't have state certification, you can't use the NP credential even if you're nationally certified. Many states if not all have legal protection for using the NP title or credential.

If you're working as an RN, it would be of your benefit not to add the NP title with your name even if you are state certified. This contributes to role-confusion and makes it appear that you are practicing as an NP. Legally, you're more prone to be held to the standard of an NP in terms of liability because you are using the title.

In most states you are going to be held to the highest standard of your training.

In other words, even if you are working as an RN, but you are certified as an NP, you'll be held to the NP standard.

Same thing with LPN's that later pass the NCLEX-RN....some "work" as LPN's at small hospitals until RN positions are available, but the state isn't going to allow you to use that as an excuse if something goes wrong....you'll be held to the RN standard because you passed boards.

Dixiecup

659 Posts

Not quite there yet. Take the boards in two weeks, scared to death!

pedspnp

583 Posts

Specializes in General. Has 17 years experience.

I could not wait to sign my credentials now I have done it so often I find my self signing it everywhere on check electronic forms geez LOL