How to put in writing a nursing reference by name

We’ve all seen the stream of initials after nurses’ names. This could make someone seem intimidating, especially if a nursing qualification is coupled with an extended job title. Here are some incessantly asked questions on credentials:

• How should nurses list their credentials after their name?
• What do these initials mean?
• What are your initials?
• Why do nurses feel they should do that in any respect?
• Is there a difference within the reference list if a nurse works in academia and in service?

Well, let me answer these questions for you.

First, we use initials to convey general knowledge about ourselves. I’ll use my degrees and other credentials as examples. (T American Nurses Association also has a position on this matter.)

Preferred order of nursing qualifications

The preferred order of qualifications for all nurses, no matter place of employment, is as follows:

• Highest degree obtained
• License
• State designations or requirements
• National certification
• Prizes and awards
• Other distinctions

So why such an order? Order is at the extent of permanence. The degree comes first since it can’t be taken away except in exceptional circumstances.

Then list your license, which is required so that you can practice. You can select to not renew it, but you’ll still have your diploma.

Licensure is followed by state nominations and national certifications, which are frequently time-limited and should be maintained through continuing education. You could let it expire, but you’d still be an RN.

Then provide your voluntary credentials. No awards, distinctions or distinctions are required for practice.

Following the nursing qualification process above, here is my signature and how one can write my initials: Jennifer Mensik, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

I sometimes use Jennifer Mensik, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. (I’ll explain why in a moment.)

Here’s what it could appear to be if I used all my initials: . This is an exaggeration.

Start with the best degree, with the best degree

1. First, it is best to only record your highest grade obtained. In my case it’s a PhD. I are inclined to forego other degrees because a PhD “trumps” all of them. This is very true in case your other references are in the identical career. For example, my associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, and doctorate are in nursing, so I only record the doctorate. If I had a master’s degree in nursing, I’d have left it too. However, my master’s degree is in business administration, so I include it. This could be the case if I had a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one other field. I do not often like using an extended list of initials after my name, but when I feel it is important to speak with someone, I’ll add an MBA to my signature.
2. Then I check my RN degree, which is the one license I even have. If you’re an APRN, your state and certifying body will little question have a required method to note your nursing qualifications. Check with yours State Board of Nursing to make sure you are properly representing yourself together with your degree and state references. I’ve heard people say they write their RN number after their name because they work in service, not academia. There is not any separate way of communicating with others depending on where you’re employed; there is barely a technique and that’s the way in which I see here.
3. Many of us have each skilled and technical qualifications. However, only the initials of skilled certificates appear after our names and surnames. The ANCC also maintains an in depth list of generally accepted national skilled certifications (for instance, Magnet), which incorporates each ANCC and non-ANCC skilled certifications. These certifications exhibit a better level of feat in a given field of data and are greater than competent in a particular field.
   • , as my NEA-BC (advanced nurse practitioner, board certification), tells others that I even have gained and continually maintain advanced knowledge in my specialty, nurse management and leadership. If I saw someone had a CCRN, I’d know they’d specialized knowledge as a critical care nurse.
   • include certifications for a set of technical skills reminiscent of ACLS, BLS, PALS, and others. We don’t write technical certifications after our name, but we are going to list them on our CV or CV in the abilities section.
4. I finally notice my FAAN. The Member of the American Academy of Nursing is a crucial achievement in nursing. There are other “companion” programs and degrees in specialist areas reminiscent of wound care and informatics. Each one is an acknowledgment and acknowledgment of 1’s own achievements. I’m one in every of roughly 2,900 FAAN credentialed nurses worldwide who were accepted into the academy based on my contributions to our career and after an in depth application process.

There can be a private element of appreciation to this topic that everybody must acknowledge. We needs to be happy with our achievements and note them.

I even have heard conversations where others felt disrespected for his or her lack of nursing qualifications or made fun of nurses with multiple qualifications because they thought they were higher than nurses with less qualifications. Nothing like this could occur.

I consider our initials to be a form of skilled “clinical ladder” – a method to contribute to our career in some ways. We should all be happy with who we’re and where we’re as skilled nurses.

Editor’s note: This blog post was published in April 2020 and has been updated.