How to Write Your Nursing Credentials (RN)

00:01 So. You've done it.

00:03 You've faced the scary bear that is nursing school.

00:05 You have defeated the final boss, the NCLEX .

00:08 And you now have so many fun new letters after your name.

00:13 Massive congratulations, friend! All of your hard work has paid off.

00:16 And now let's show the people by figuring out how to list your new name and alphabet.

00:23 The preferred way of listing your credentials in the United States is determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is as follows.

00:33 Immediately after your name, list your highest earned educational degree.

00:38 So for most of you, this will either be your ADN, your BSN or your MSN.

00:43 And remember that this is the closest thing to your name, because even if you lose your license - don't lose your license - but even if you do, you can't have someone take your degree away from you.

00:53 So that's why you keep it close.

00:55 Goes right after your name. Next, we add your licensure.

00:58 So at this point for you, it is probably RN.

01:01 How cool. Just write your name.

01:03 How cool. You did that.

01:04 Awesome job. And then after that you list your State Designation or national certification. This would be things like your CCRN, your CPN, all of those certifications for your specialty that we talked about in that section way back when.

01:18 If you have a non nursing certification, such as being a lactation consultant, always list the nursing credentials first.

01:26 And finally, you can finish off with awards and honors.

01:30 As you can see, there are quite a lot of alphabet letters to acquire. Some people prefer to use all of their credentials in the professional setting, and some people stick to something simple like Liz, RN.

01:44 All right. You'll find out what you like best.

01:46 I did - Liz, RN.

01:48 And as long as you remember the order, you are golden.

01:52 Now, let's take a look at how you can keep those letters, because some of them can expire and fall off.

01:58 And we don't want that ready.

02:00 Let's go.