When do you sign RN?

[NCVegRN]

I never thought about this until I got my license about a month ago, but when is it appropriate to sign RN after your name? This never came up in school and I couldn't find anything online. Is there protocol? Obviously I would use it at work and with professional organizations, but where else do you use it? I am proud of earning my license, but don't want to put it all over the place where it doesn't fit.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[TazziRN, RN]

Only when you are functioning as an RN. Not when you sign checks, contracts unless for employment, nowhere else.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I think you about summed up the appropriate times. When you're working as a nurse or using your nursing education in some capacity, like serving in a nursing organization or publishing a journal article.

When I sign EMS run reports, I don't sign RN, because I'm operating as a medic and in my service the RN doesn't give me any sort of extra privileges or expanded scope of practice.

I've heard of people who have signed checks at the grocery store with RN, but I think usually it's accidental because they've been doing it at work all day, not because they're trying to flaunt the credentials.

[texas_lvn]

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I've heard of people who have signed checks at the grocery store with RN, but I think usually it's accidental because they've been doing it at work all day, not because they're trying to flaunt the credentials.

I accidently do that alot. Not only checks, but HW assignments too! Ugg.

Eric--I LOVE your ambulance.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

oh yeah, if i am going home after a long day and stop at the store, i'll accidentally sigh J.doe, rn.

[suzy253, RN]

[quote=EricEnfermero

I've heard of people who have signed checks at the grocery store with RN, but I think usually it's accidental because they've been doing it at work all day, not because they're trying to flaunt the credentials.

Yep....I've done that a couple of times....just automatic/accident.

[JentheRN05, RN]

I sign my checks rn all the time. My name at the top says RN so I figure it's part of the signature, and when I 'accidentially' do sign it, it is fine :) lol

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

I accidently signed LVN to my walmart layway slip the other day....lol. Otherwise I only use it for work. I have no desire for anyone to know that I am a nurse.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

You know that signature you write on a chart when you are in a hurry? Sometimes I sign checks like that......and the bank honors them aaaarrrggghhhh

[colleennurse, ASN, RN]

You know that signature you write on a chart when you are in a hurry? Sometimes I sign checks like that......and the bank honors them aaaarrrggghhhh

Ok this just made me laugh. I usually have very nice penmanship, but since I have beceome a nurse my signature is disgusting! Can't help it though when you are signing your name a million times a day :)

[NCVegRN]

Thanks for your input everyone. So far we have one person who put it on her checks and everyone else only uses it by accident. : )

I kind of wonder why more people wouldn't use it - don't doctors use their title when signing in the 'real world'?

[gitterbug]

I find it strange your instructors did not inform you that signing RN after your name without a license was improper, unethical, unprofessional, and could be illegal. Likewise, I only use RN in a professional capacity. Has so much changed in over 26 years? I take pride in the title of RN and,hopefully, treat the title with respect.