For example, if you've been invited to participate in a roundtable discussion among nursing educators and you hold a doctorate in nursing, maintain your current RN license, are a nurse practitioner and are certified in wound care, you can probably omit the CWCN for Certified Wound Care Nurse. Congratulations on achieving so much. But if you fail to maintain your nursing license or specialty certification, you could lose your RN credentials and your certification in a specialty area. Ruth resides in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Advanced Practice and Specialty Certification Credentials, Academic and Professional Credentialing Protocol, Substance Abuse Nurse Practitioner Certification, Cover Letter for a Registered Nurse Position. BSN). The go-to structure for laying out nursing experience starts with job title and specialty, then facility name and employment dates. Catherine Burger, MSOL, BSN, RN, NEA-BC . The choice to follow your highest degree by another, such as BSN, is personal. Please review the post below: https://www.nursingworld.org/~4abf5a/globalassets/certification/renewals/DisplayCredentials-Brochure, The preferred order is: Highest earned degree Licensure State designations or requirements National certifications Awards and honors Other recognitions Why Is This Order Recommended? These degrees are listed first, beginning with the highest degree. Separation and format A nurse’s credentials are comma-separated from the person’s name and from each other (e.g. The traditional order is degree (most permanent), followed by licensure, followed by any certifications or honors (so, "BSN, RN"). Many registered nurses have a bachelor's of science in nursing, which typically is referred to as a BSN. The letter highlights the qualifications, skills, and experience of the nurse. Sometimes just a 2 year. 1; Registered nursing is where things can start to get confusing. These letters tell potential employers, doctors, other nurses and patients about your highest degree, about your licenses, other certifications and awards. Separate the nurse's name and each credential with a comma. Usually RN, BSN for clinical positions, no dash. Do not use periods in the acronyms. were you rejected by nursing schools? What is grammatically correct RN's or RNs? Of course, all nurses are rigorously trained to provide patient care. Her name and credentials -- Mary C. Smolenski, Ed.D., RNP, NP-C -- head her article on nursing credentials, "Playing the Credentials Game," in the November 2002 issue of "Nursing Spectrum," a magazine that the American Nurses Association publishes. For example, if you are known legally and professionally as "Susan E. Doe," use that as your signature, not "Susie Doe." A nursing cover letter is used by nurses when applying for jobs. But for the rest of us, both ways work. Profile: Highly motivated, goal-oriented professional nurse with 11 years of progressive bedside nursing. 2. Sorry Donna, but I kindly beg to differ. Always indicate your certifications last. Home address and contact information. I always am in awe of people with two BAs – that’s a lot of work! You list credentials in order of importance from both a legal and professional standpoint. I have a paper to write for nursing school due tomorrow, and I am almost done. 60242: Suicide Prevention: Assessment, Treatment and Risk Management of At-Risk Populations, Was the Dressing Change Done or Wasn’t it? Once nursing school is complete and the graduate has passed the NCLEX-RN exam he or she will receive a nursing license issued by the State. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Speaking from a credentialing point of view. Of course, there can also be a discussion as to what order one puts degrees and credentials. Nursing is a noble profession that requires dedication to patients and humanity. level 1 Many registered nurses have advanced practice credentials, which means they're nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists or qualified in other advanced areas of nursing. This course provides professionals in numerous healthcare roles, social workers and psychologists with information about the issue of suicide and its prevention strategies. I’m not so sure for those of us who are not nurses (pre-nurse or other medical student). Nursing World: Nursing Spectrum: Playing the Credentials Game, Nurse Together: The Alphabet Soup of Nursing Degrees and Certifications, How to Correctly Write Out Nursing Credentials Such As RN & MSN, How to Outline Teacher Credentials on a Resume. If you are employed somewhere and are required to sign off on records, check with your employer’s policy about how they want you to sign your name and credentials. What’s the best way for nurses to list credentials after their names? Licensure: Licensure credentials include registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN). Again, specificity when writing a nursing resume elevates it from good to great. In the world of academia, the college degree is used first and then licensure and other credentials. I started working as a unit RN, but I have my MSN and was wondering if I am suppose to sign my name RN, MSN or leave the MSN off. Does my RN come first or my BSN? A registered nurse who has earned a bachelor's degree in nursing would write her credentials as BSN RN. At the end of your career you may no longer be licensed by a licensing body but you will always have your BSN, etc. Place your licensing designation last. If you have a doctorate and a master’s degree, omit your baccalaureate degree. Many nurses, including myself, prefer to use the RN first and the college degree next. Note that the highest non-nursing degree is listed first followed by the highest nursing degree. State Designations or Requirements: State designations or requirements signify the nurse practices at a more advanced level in the state. Join this webinar to learn the difference between empathy and sympathy, and how to recharge and take care of yourself in order to better take care of patients. Generally speaking, your nursing credentials -- or, any professional's credentials -- should begin with the highest credential, followed by second- and third-highest and so on. If you're given the opportunity to indicate which credentials you believe are most appropriate for the audience or the setting, select the most relevant ones so you don't require a 104-character space for signing your name or including your name on a program. Handles multiple responsibilities while maintaining high standards of nursing excellence. BSN means bachelor of science in nursing, ADN means associate degree in nursing, and RN means registered nurse. Therefore […] So, now the fun really begins by building an amazing resume and … Nursing credentials attribute hard-earned degrees, licensure, certifications and other recognitions to your name. https://www.nurse.com/blog/2020/04/21/whats-the-right-way-to-list-nursing-credentials/. Or mixing up there/they’re/their. Passing the state board or NCLEX does. But Mary C. Smolenski, who holds a doctorate of education, is a family nurse practitioner and is a certified nurse practitioner, says you should list your credentials beginning with the one that you're least likely to be stripped of, such as your advanced degree, whether it's a doctorate, masters or bachelor's. A simple example of these differences might be: Nancy P. Jones , RN, BSN … If she were recognized for outstanding achievements in nursing, the credential of FAAN (Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) would follow her board certification listing. Simply sign your full name, followed by either "R.N." Regarding what to put after your name, my understanding is that you can only get an RN if you have the Bachelor’s degree. 60227: Interprofessional Guide to Pain Management (6 contact hours) Pain is experienced by almost all patients regardless of age or sex. You typically start with your academic degrees and then follow with any licenses or certifications you hold. I guess I’ll use this? Try reading our latest blog on how to list your credentials. [1] X Research source Multiple nursing certifications may be listed in the Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, CSP, is president of DonnaCardillo.com. If you were to Google “What is the correct order to list one’s nursing credentials” or consult any of the links listed here in the comments, you will find there IS a uniform/right way to do so, as Nick stated, or the wrong way to do so. She brings more than 25 years of clinical, management and business experience to her role as career guru. Nursing credentials and certifications are the various credentials and certifications that a person must have to practice nursing legally. The initials after your name communicate important information about you as a professional. The only reason one would put RN or whatever else after their name is because they think it is something prestigious and it’s not. Court Doubts RN’s Integrity, Online RN-to-BSN Programs: Ask the Right Questions Before You Enroll. Once a degree is conferred you will never lose that distinction. Nurses' postnominal letters (abbreviations listed after the name) reflect their credentials—that is, their achievements in nursing education, licensure, certification, and fellowship.The letters usually appear in the following order: Licensure can and sometimes does ebb and flow. MD, RN, BSN (any medical degree or license) President (or any governmental or administrative rank) MBA (any business degree) Dr. or Doctor. Can you tell me the correct way to list nursing credentials after my name? There is … or without the punctuation, "RN." Lists a bachelor's degree in nursing, since this is the basic requirement for an intermediate-level BSN Nursing position; Lists American Nursing Association membership, as this is a basic prerequisite to get hired as a Nurse; Lists training abilities to show a record of leadership and service If your highest degree is a nursing degree, list that degree first after your name (Jane Q. Doe, BSN). However, there was a “correct” way to display your credentials. For example, instead of "Susan E. Doe, Ph.D., RN, NP-C, CWCN," you could simply list, "Susan E. Doe, Ph.D., RN, NP-C.". Your nurse practitioner credentials should be listed after your RN. Is there is a generic way? Known as The Inspiration Nurse, she is a keynote speaker, retreat and seminar leader, and author of "Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional" and "The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career." 2018 Median annual salary: $71,730. So I’d simply put RN after your name. Individuals working within the health care profession will often see nursing credentials listed in a few different ways. Nurse Burger should not list her ADN degree as the BSN is the higher of the degrees in the field of study. BSN, ADN, RN: The Difference in The Letters. I don’t have any body for credentialing, I guess. Either way is correct when writing out your name and credentials — Jane Doe, RN, BSN, or Jane Doe, BSN, RN. The next two credentials (licensure and state designations/requirements) are required for you to practice. They are usually written without periods within the credentials (e.g. National certification is sometimes voluntary, and awards, honors, and other. I encourage nurses to keep it simple and leave the alphabet soup for your resume or CV. So I sign my name as follows: Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional). this is pretty horrible to say. According to APA, the corect way to list credentials is degree first, professional title, then cerifications. BSN Personal Statement Samples. Any certifications you have would go at the end. In many cases, a person with a bachelor's or master's forgoes the mentioning of an associate's degree. Gordon, MBA, MSN, RN. The AFN stands for advanced forensic nursing and the BC indicated board-certified status. Typically, those who have the RN before the BSN are those who got the associates degree. Listing credentials directly after your name is the accepted practice for email signatures. No one but you cares about this. She holds a Master of Arts in sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. But for the rest of us, both ways work. The doctors you work with don’t care either. Therefore, you would sign your name, "Susan E. Doe, RN, BSN." The Nursing Faculty Shortage: How Can You be Part of the Solution? If you are an RN (registered nurse) or a LPN (licensed practical nurse) this professional abbreviation goes last, as in Jane Smith, ASN, LPN. Any advice? In most states, even nurses with doctoral degrees must identify them… BSN stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing. How Much Can an Oncology Pediatric Nurse Earn? Put a comma after your surname and another comma between the RN and BSN. I know the apostrophe normally indicates possession, however to save space in my paper I am needing to abbreviate. Thank you for addressing this issue as a lot of nurses have this question. It could help guide you as it has others. Writing Resources for Nursing Students. You should always display RN, even if you have a BSN, since having graduated with a BSN doesn’t make you an RN. For example, Nancy Nurse, BSN, RN, CEN I would recommend using your RN credential on your resume, since it will separate you from those who have not yet passed boards. Educational degrees are the most important because they are permanent. Many nurses, including myself, prefer to use the RN first and the college degree next. In the nursing field, there is a myriad of letters and initials used to show the credentials of each nurse.Nurses might be used to seeing those letters in any order, but healthcare providers, consumers, and patients may not understand what each pair of letters mean. For nametags, the answer is actually pretty straightforward and fairly simple. If you're a registered nurse without academic or professional credentials beyond your RN designation, your signature is easy to understand and far less cumbersome than others. You can referred to the American Nurses Association (ANA) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for the official nursing positions on this: http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and-Resolutions/ANAPositionStatements/Position-Statements-Alphabetically/Credentials-for-the-Professional-Nurse-Determining-a-Standard-Order-of-Credentials-for-the-Professi.html, http://www.nursecredentialing.org/DisplayCredentials-Brochure.pdf. It drives me crazy that so many people still do not display their credentials correctly. Whether you’re a male or female nurse, you need to have a powerful connection and respect for your patients. They may want to indicate both degrees after their name, such as, Jane Doe, RN, BSN, MBA, although it is only necessary to list the highest degree, depending on the situation. Qualifications: Embraces the rewards of patient care. In addition to referencing your credentials properly for signing letters, make sure that your resume and the header on your personal stationery accurately state your credentials. Hi, You can definitely get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) without being an RN first. John Shaw, BSN, RN). However, as others have noted, you're certainly not required to list your degree every time you sign your name; lots of people just use " RN " (with any certifications) and don't bother with the degree -- the license is what matters at work. I absolutely *cringe* whenever I see very well-educated nurses accidentally list it in the incorrect order…almost like spelling one’s own name wrong on their own resume. The ANCC’s preferred order for nursing credentials is: 1. There are no official regulations on how to write your RN BSN signature. Likewise, if you hold certification in public health nursing, your signature would be, "Susan E. Doe, RN, BSN, APHN-BC," meaning you have advanced public health nursing certification and board-certification status. or Susan E. Doe, RN.". Call and talk with your state board. I would assume. Your initials will be RN after your name and once you have your BSN, it will read: BSN, RN. Suicide rates for middle-aged women have increased 63% since 1999; for men, the increase is 43% in the same time period. your so miserable….it must suck to be you . You should always list the highest degree earned first. However, there are nurses who have a BSN and then obtain an MBA or other non-nursing degree. RN stands for Registered Nurse. If you're in this category of learned professionals, put "RN" first because your professional license as a registered nurse makes your BSN that much more relevant. If your highest degree is a professional non-nursing degree, list that degree first (before your highest nursing degree) (e.g., Jean Q. Doe, JD, BSN). Would it be Name, AS, CPT-1, CCMA, NCPT, BLS? Either way is correct when writing out your name and credentials — Jane Doe, RN, BSN, or Jane Doe, BSN, RN. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate all age groups are affected, with some specific concerns for older adults and adolescents. Start the “alphabet soup” behind your name by listing your highest degree first then continuing in descending order. For instance, use "Susan E. Doe, BSN, RN, NP" or "Susan E. Doe, BNS, RN, CRNA." The signature does matter-especially when I sign my name to something (for work)…oh but you aren’t obviously educated enough to understand why this matters. It's just this professor is a stiff for grammar and I do not know what one is correct. The education degree comes first because it is a “permanent” credential, meaning it cannot be taken away except under extreme circumstances. It’s a 4 year degree at best. Big deal. have a great life. A nurse who has a master’s in a non- nursing field might choose Anne Peterson, MEd, BSN, RN. I don’t think it matters that much but maybe on resume, etc. You don’t need to list the Bachelor degrees at all. I’ve seen it both ways, so I’m just wondering what is correct. Resources include writing guides for professional nurses, APA style workshops, research paper examples, and … This requires health professionals to collaborate to better assess, understand and manage patients with complex pain. First, review the nurse practice act for your state to learn how RNs are supposed to identify themselves. JD (any law degree) Military ranks (General, Captain, Lieutenant, etc.) Many nurse practitioners choose to drop the BSN designation behind their name as it is assumed based on their nurse practitioner status. Some nurses have so many initials after their names that it is hard to sort through. WEB332: Empathy 101 for Nurses: How to Care for Yourself While Emotionally Supporting Others (1 contact hour) Nurses are called to care. Immediately following someone’s name, start by listing the highest earned degree. Thank you Nicholas! Some initials should always follow your name on your business card and correspondence. A comma should immediately follow the nurse’s name, with commas separating each credential. The Office of Communications and Marketing at NYU provides an example for a medical professional: Sarah Sampson, MS, PhD, RN, CCRN. How to Properly List Your Nursing Credentials. Highest Degree Earned: Educational degrees include associate degrees (AD, ADN), bachelor’s degrees (BS, BSN, BA), master’s degrees (MSN, MS, MA) and doctoral degrees (PhD, DrPH, DNS, EdD, DNP). 3. This abbreviation stands for Associate of Science in Nursing. Always use your professional name and not nicknames or shortened versions of your name. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) developed a standardized way of listing the six basic types of credentials in the nursing field. They are acknowledging my MSN but I feel like I earned it I should display it. Professional Negligence Case Shows Flaws in Plaintiff’s Suit, Critical Care Nurse Shows Unbreakable Commitment During Pandemic, Not Following Hospital Policy Counts Against Nurse in Lawsuit. According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a standardized format for listing credentials ensures that everyone understands their significance and value. To understand the different levels of training, we can take a closer look at the letters that come after a nurse’s name. The state boards in most states will hold you legally accountable to your highest license as will a civil or criminal lawsuit. This post may be a bit misleading as we now have a certifying body that says there is a proper way to order your nursing credentials. Ruth Mayhew has been writing since the mid-1980s, and she has been an HR subject matter expert since 1995. James Nurse, RN, BSN. When writing a personal statement for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you will be required to answer 2 questions. “RN” not “R.N.”). If you're in this category of learned professionals, put "RN" first because your professional license as a registered nurse makes your BSN that much more relevant. Education or training needed: Undergraduate degree (Associate’s or Bachelor’s). Check our nursing personal statement examples below to have a better idea of what will be expected from the applicants: How You Should Write Your Nurse Personal Statement for BSN Degree Her work appears in "The Multi-Generational Workforce in the Health Care Industry," and she has been cited in numerous publications, including journals and textbooks that focus on human resources management practices. Okay so based on the comments I am most confused, any input is much appreciated….I am an RN and have my BSN and my MBA….which is the correct way since my bachelors and masters are not in the same field I would like to list both….. It’s not necessary to list any credentials or degrees after your name. There has, however, also been a startling rise in suicide among middle-aged Americans. For instance, you would write RN, not R.N. ADN stands for Associate’s Degree in Nursing. If you were to eventually get an MSN or higher nursing degree, it is not necessary to also include a lower degree in the same major (e.g. MSW, LCSW, LPC (any social work or counseling degree or license) BA, BS (any bachelor’s degree) Virtually all healthcare professionals help patients who are experiencing pain. I strongly agree with Nick!!! 60242: Suicide Prevention: Assessment, Treatment and Risk Management of At-Risk Populations (6 contact hours) Worldwide, suicide is the 13th-leading cause of death, with the highest rates found in countries with advanced healthcare. After that, list facility- and unit-specific information, including total beds, trauma levels, and patient demographics. Your complete signature, in this case would be, "Susan E. Doe, R.N." I suppose you could write RN/BSN, but I don't. If you're an RN with a BSN and a specialty certification in forensic nursing with board certification, you would sign your name, "Susan E. Doe, RN, BSN, AFN-BC." In the world of academia, the college degree is used first and then licensure and other credentials. When you earn academic and professional credentials in nursing, it's not so much the grammar of your signature that you should be concerned about, but the order in which you designate your credentials when you sign a letter.