Yes, Registered Nurses (RNs) put "RN" after their name as a post-nominal credential to indicate their licensure, and they often add other letters for degrees (BSN, MSN, DNP), advanced practice (APRN), and certifications (CCRN, OCN), usually listing the highest degree first, then license, then certifications, separated by commas. While "RN" signifies they've passed the licensing exam and are legally allowed to practice, the full string of letters shows their education and specializations, though many nurses keep it simple (e.g., Jane Doe, RN).
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.
Research with patients and patient outcomes has shown that nurses with a BSN have better patient outcomes on average. So, in a competitive healthcare market that must maximize patient outcomes, BSN has become the preferred degree for most hiring efforts.
Examples of correctly listed nursing credentials
The titles of registered nurse, midwife and nursing associate are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and reflect different roles and duty of care. This does not mean any one role is any more or less important than the other, but it does mean that they each do a very different job.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
An APRN interested in mental health might also become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner or PMHNP. No matter the specific title, APRNs have the highest level of autonomy and responsibility in the delivery of patient care.
For example, a nurse executive might choose Nancy Gordon, MBA, MSN, RN. Note that the highest non- nursing degree is listed first followed by the highest nursing degree. A nurse who has a master's in a non- nursing field might choose Anne Peterson, MEd, BSN, RN.
What Are the Levels of Nursing?
The order of one's credentials indicates information about that person's experience. The general rule is to list credentials in the following sequence: permanent credentials, professional licenses, national certifications, and then additional certifications.
What Is a BSN? BSN is an undergraduate degree which stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Completing a BSN program is one way to start your career in nursing and obtain your RN license. While technically all BSN graduates are RNs—at least if they take the RN licensure exam and practice nursing—all RNs aren't BSNs.
On completion of the diploma you will be a qualified general nurse, registered with the South African Nursing Council. This will enable you to practice in this capacity in the South African healthcare system.
Here Are Highest Paying Jobs You Can Get with a BSN Degree
Registered nurses set up plans for patient care. Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Key Takeaways: List credentials after your name in this order: highest degree, license, specialty, and certifications. Separate credentials with commas and omit periods (e.g., Jane Doe, MSN, RN, APRN, OCN)
A registered nurse (RN) who holds a bachelor's degree of science in nursing has more job opportunities than a RN with only an associates degree in nursing (ADN). Since there are more job prospects for registered nurses with BSN degrees, the level of their pay also increases due to the demand for BSN graduates.
The "5 levels of nurses" can refer to career progression from assistant to advanced practice, or to professional skill development stages, but commonly involves: Assistant in Nursing (AIN) (basic care under supervision), Enrolled Nurse (EN) (diploma level, supervised), Registered Nurse (RN) (degree level, independent practice), Clinical Nurse/Specialist (experienced RN, leadership), and Nurse Practitioner (NP) (advanced degree, diagnosing/prescribing).
While RNs typically focus on implementing a plan of care, APRNs focus on directing a plan of care. Becoming an APRN often requires further education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Types of APRNs include nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists.
Band 7 nurses are senior-level healthcare providers who manage teams and patient care. They perform a variety of duties and have an extensive and diverse skill set, along with specialised training that allows them to work in diverse healthcare environments.
There are no official regulations on how to write your RN BSN signature. In fact, there are situations when you should display your nursing degrees and accreditation differently. Here are Professor Maier's takeaways on whether you write RN or BSN first. In either instance, list your certifications last.
Getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically takes 4 years for a traditional program, but can range from 12-18 months for an accelerated program (for those with another bachelor's degree) or 1-2 years for an RN-to-BSN path, depending on your starting point, pace (full-time/part-time), and transfer credits.
For example, a family nurse practitioner would place FNP-BC behind their name. Nurse practitioners certified through the AANP use the designation NP-C, standing for certified, while also indicating their specialty. For example, an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner would place AGNP-C behind their name.
Certified nursing assistants are the first level in the hierarchy of nursing. The role involves helping patients with the type of tasks associated with daily life, including eating, dressing and bathing.
Neither being an Enrolled Nurse (EN) nor a Registered Nurse (RN) is inherently "better"; the ideal choice depends on your career goals, time commitment, and desired responsibilities, with RNs offering greater autonomy, leadership, and higher earning potential through a bachelor's degree, while ENs offer quicker entry to the workforce via a diploma, often working under RN supervision with a slightly narrower scope. RNs develop care plans, administer complex treatments, and can specialize, whereas ENs focus on patient care under RN direction, with an option to upgrade to RN later.
The resume header should be clear and professional. According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN), credentials should be listed in this order: Highest academic degree (e.g., MSN, BSN) Professional license (e.g., RN, LPN)