When to change name (marriage)?

[hannahannah, ADN, RN]

So I am finishing my first of four semesters in my ADN program. I have been married before** but did not legally change my last name, so my SN title is with my maiden name. My boyfriend and I do plan to get married but do not know when. The delay is mostly about getting our careers in a stable place. I know planning a big event at this time is ill-advised, so that is not necessarily what I am asking about. Part of me would love to take his name soon so that professional connections I form are easily attached to the name I plan to carry.

Mostly curious to hear your experience with marital name changes of any kind, when you did it, pros and cons.

Thank you!

**For curiosity/ if it may change your input, my husband was killed in a car accident.

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

First and foremost - you have time to carefully consider all your options.

The only advice that I would give you about your last name - regardless of when, why, or how you decide to change it - when it come NCLEX time make sure that the names on your ID, Board of Nursing application, and Pearson Vue testing reservation are EXACTLY the same.

You wouldn't want to get to the testing center only to be denied entry and no refund of any of the fees that you have paid.

Best of luck.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

There may be several hoops to jump through to legally change your last name prior to marriage (if I am reading this right). If it were me, I would keep my current name until I got married. It can be a pain with NCLEX too, your name on your ID must match what is sent by your school and the state board of nursing after you apply.

So sorry for the loss of your husband.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

You've learned the hard way that our plans can get derailed (my condolences for your loss). I would not change your name until you are actually married. People do this all the time with no huge repercussions. Just follow the advice given about making sure your name matches on the relevant paperwork.

[Oldmahubbard]

As an RN, name change is not really a big deal. As an NP, a much bigger deal.

Don't do it now.

Sorry for your loss.

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

If you two are so sure that you want to get married that you are ready to change your last name now, can I suggest getting a "courthouse" type wedding and then you can plan a big wedding later. It will be much easier to change your last name with a marriage.

[ThatChickOmi, ADN, RN]

Nothing to add here since I'm not married.

But my condolences for your tragic loss.

[DowntheRiver]

I got married twice in nursing school (to the same person, lol).

We had a courthouse wedding 6 months prior to our real wedding. My license was going to expire on my birthday and I needed benefits for clinical for school so we just went down to the courthouse and got hitched. We didn't tell anybody but I legally changed my last name to his name. I changed my name during nursing school and when I took the NCLEX I took it under my new married name and am licensed under my married name. I actually thought it was pretty easy to change my name. The only time consuming part is changing your name on all your cards and accounts as they all request a copy of your marriage license.

I have no regrets. We're still married 7 years later.

[MiladyMalarkey, ASN, BSN]

It's a personal choice really. The only con in my opinion is just the process of name change, getting a new SSN card, updating your DL, bank accounts...just everything legally in your name. That was a little tedious, but, for me it was worth sharing the same name as my spouse and our (now) children.

[Serhilda, ADN, RN]

Here's my crazy, non-traditional idea: Why doesn't he just take yours to avoid the hassle with nursing and licensure if it means that much to you to have the same last name? Seriously. It's never made any sense to me why women have to go through such a PITA.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I hyphenated my last name when I got married. Took a phone call and a fax to change my license in IL. Less than 3 days. Told HR and they changed it for payroll. My old name is still right there, so no confusion.

It's all personal choice. Some people act like it's a battle to change your last name after marriage. It isn't that hard as long as you Google it and find a checklist to make sure you actually changed everything.

[AnnieNP, MSN, NP]

I hyphenated too, it was easy!