One of my biggest pet peeves is when I see that fellow nursing professionals have NO IDEA how to write their nursing credentials. You know, the order in which you should list the letters after your name.
I see credential errors everywhere: on lab coats, business cards, even journal publications.
In this article, we’re going to make sure you know exactly how to write your nursing credentials for any circumstance, so you never question the order to list the letters after your name again. Ready?
The Right Order to Write Your Nursing Credentials
The simplest way to explain this is:
- Degree
- License
- Certification
But there are a few nuances to know as well, when it comes to which letters to add after your name, and the order in which they appear. For example, there’s no need to list both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees; go with the highest degree, unless they are different but related. So if you are an advanced practice nurse, you no longer list your RN.
Nursing Credentials When You’re Still In Nursing School
Another common question I get asked when it comes to nursing credentials and how to refer to yourself as a nursing professional, is from nursing students. They often ask: how do you refer to yourself when you are still in school but sending out your résumé?
I answer these types of questions directly in this video on Instagram, but in general, you should not use the letters of your degree or credential until you have officially received them!
If you have not graduated or sat for your nursing boards yet, I like to use the word “candidate” to reflect the fact that you will SOON be legitimate.
So in that case, the formula to do so might look like this:
- [Your future role] + Candidate
- Your future role] + Student
- Student + [your future role]⠀
But, as an example, if you’ve graduated with your BSN but have not yet passed the NCLEX, for example, your name should read as:
Your Name, BSN⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Registered Nurse Candidate⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Let me know any questions below, or feel free to practice with your current (or anticipated) alphabet soup!
If you need another pair of eyes to determine if you wrote your credentials correctly feel free to connect with us!
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Credentials
How do I write my R.N. BSN credentials?
The preferred order of credentials for all nurses, regardless of employment setting, is as follows:
- Highest degree earned.
- Licensure.
- State designations or requirements.
- National certification.
- Awards and honors.
How do you write R.N. after your name?
Sign your full name, followed by either “R.N.” or without the punctuation, “RN.” Use your full professional name when writing it.
How do you list R.N. credentials on a resume?
List them fully without acronyms. For licenses, write in this order: license type, licensing state/body, license name and number, nurse license compact, and expiration date. For certifications, write the name, followed by conferring organization, expiration, and certification number.
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Amanda, Awesome video, informative and to the point. Nicely done.
This is so helpful, thank you!
I have a BA in psychology and don’t like the idea of leaving it off my letters. It’s not a BA in art history, and psychology is certainly relevant to nursing therapeutic communication, amongst other things. What do you think?
Hi Katie!
Great question! We recommend leaving the BA letters off once you have your BSN. You can still list it under your education section of your résumé but only nursing degrees or grad school level credentials should be listed after your name once you’re a licensed RN. 🙂
The Résumé Rx Team
Nice!
I am thinking:
Monica Rodriguez, MSN, APRN, PHN, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Hi Monica!
We recommend listing your FNP credentials before your PHN since PHN isn’t NP specific. 🙂
Also, we’ve found it’s usually better to list just one of your FNP boards since listing two could confuse people.
I hope this helps!
Hannah
The Résumé Rx
Hi! If I am applying to jobs as an FNP student, Should I use “BSN, RN, FNP-S” or stick to my current “BSN, RN”?
Best,
Katie
Hi Katherine,
Great question! You won’t want to list your FNP until you’ve graduated. You can list under your name heading that you are a Nurse Practitioner Student though 🙂 Check out our post on IG where we list a couple different option for what to call yourself when you’re still in school. https://www.instagram.com/p/CANn34gHoDB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Hannah
Team Résumé Rx
Hi, I’m a licensed MSW in addition to PMHNP. How would you suggest I list these on my resume? Thanks!
Hi Kelly, thanks so much for your question!
We recommend listing this after your NP degree (which will likely be either DNP or MSN).
An alternative would be to just list your name and underneath put both of your licensed roles in the subtitle.
Nadia
Team Résumé Rx
Hi, I was a Registered Respiratory Therapist before nursing. I still hold the RRT licensure. I list it this way BSN, RN, RRT, CCM.
Would you recommend omitting the RRT?
Hi Wendy, thanks so much for your question!
We recommend listing licenses that are currently relevant for your job search. If the RRT license is still if interest to you and the field you are applying for, it would be best to still list it.
Nadia
Team Résumé Rx
Hi, if I first got my Associated in Applied Science, then got my RN license and then got my Bachelor of Science in Nursing; do I put: AAS, RN, BSN. Or BSN, RN? Thanks!
Hi Beata, thanks so much for your question!
Since your BSN would “outweigh” your associate’s degree, putting BSN, RN is the correct way!
Hi, I’d like to verify the license as you said it varies state to state. Where does one find the correct term to use for their state, specifically for New York? I only see NP listed on the state site. However you mention versions such as APN, APRN, which I’m not seeing for NY. Do you think this is correct? Heather, MSN, NP, FNP-BC?
Great question, Heather!
You’re right in that New York technically does not use the APRN designation.
That said, the term is widely accepted so you could use APRN if you wanted. The way you listed, with NP, is also correct!
Nadia
Team Résumé Rx
I am BSN and have CV board certification. Is this correct. Name, BSN, RN, RN-BC
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, that is the correct sequence to list out your certifications!
Nadia
Team Résumé Rx
My diploma itself states awarded the degree of bachelor of science. On my transcript states degree awarded bachelor of science primary degree Major: Nursing and I have my active state RN license. What is the correct way to write my credentials? Is BSN, RN appropriate or would it be more appropriate as BS, RN? Thank you.
Hi Kimberly,
The correct sequence to list out your certifications is BSN, RN.
Nadia
Team Résumé Rx
Thank you for taking the time to respond! It is greatly appreciated. Have a great day and God bless.
If in your state APN is a certification (not a license), do you list your credentials as: Name, MSN, RN, APN, FNP-C, CCRN?
Hi Anna, thanks for your question. In that case, you would still drop the RN in favor of the APN so it would read MSN, APN, FNP-C. If it’s still relevant to your practice you can list the CCRN.
Nadia
Team Résumé Rx