Hi Donna,
Can you tell me the correct way to list nursing credentials after my name? Does my RN come first or my BSN? I've seen it both ways, so I'm just wondering what is correct.
Sincerely,
Wondering About Credentials
Does RN or BSN Come First When Listing Credentials?
Either way is correct when writing out your name and credentials — Jane Doe, RN, BSN, or Jane Doe, BSN, RN. In the world of academia, the college degree is used first and then licensure and other credentials. But for the rest of us, both ways work.
Many nurses, including myself, prefer to use the RN first and the college degree next, followed by certifications. However, many other nurses, similar to academia, prefer to begin with their highest degree, followed by licensures, and so on. (Read Jennifer Mensik's blog, for another angle on this topic.)
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. BSN). However, there are nurses who have a BSN and then obtain an MBA or other non-nursing degree. 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.
Some nurses have so many initials after their names that it is hard to sort through. I encourage nurses to keep it simple and leave the alphabet soup for their resume or CV.
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.
ANCC Recommendations for listing credentials in order:
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) recommends the following sequence:
- Highest Earned Degree: Start with your highest academic degree since it's a permanent credential. For example, if you have a Master of Science in Nursing, you would list 'MSN'.
- Licensure: Next, include your nursing license, such as 'RN' for Registered Nurse or 'LPN' for Licensed Practical Nurse.
- State Designations or Requirements: If applicable, add any state-specific designations that authorize you to practice at an advanced level, like 'APRN' for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.
- National Certifications: Follow with any national certifications from recognized professional organizations, such as 'CCRN' for Critical Care Registered Nurse or 'FNP-BC' for Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified.
- Awards and Honors: Conclude with any notable awards or honors, like 'FAAN' for Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
For example, if you hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, are a Registered Nurse, and a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, you would list your credentials as: 'Jane Doe, DNP, RN, FNP-BC'.
It's important to use commas to separate each credential for clarity and to be consistent in how you list them across all professional settings, including your resume, business cards, email signature, and name badge. Avoid redundancy by not listing lower-level degrees if you have a higher-level degree in the same field. For instance, if you have an MSN, you don’t need to list your BSN.
Always check with your employer's policy regarding how they prefer credentials to be listed, especially when signing official documents. Some institutions may have specific guidelines that differ from the standard order.
