What is the right way to list credentials on your nursing resume?
Whether you're a new graduate entering the nursing profession for the first time or an experienced RN updating your nursing resume, listing your nursing credentials correctly is essential.
Why do we need a standard for listing nursing credentials?
Having a standard way of listing your nursing education and credentials on your nursing resume or official communication will ensure that other nurses and healthcare providers, patients, insurance companies, administrators, government officials, and everyone who sees them understands both the significance and the value of the credentials you’ve worked hard to earn throughout your nursing education and experience.
When nursing credentials are properly formatted, they communicate your qualifications, professionalism, and commitment to the nursing profession. But with multiple degrees, licenses, and certifications, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and it’s hard to know what to list first. So, what is the right way to list your nursing credentials? Let’s break it down step-by-step.
What is the proper order of credentials?
According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center, listing nursing credentials in the preferred order is very important. It shows respect for the nursing profession, but also helps employers, patients and colleagues understand your qualifications with just a quick glance.
The preferred order for listing nursing credentials is:
- Highest degree earned
- Licensure
- State designations or requirements
- National certifications
- Awards and honors
- Other recognitions
Highest Degree Earned
Your nursing education degree is listed first because it is a permanent certification that cannot be taken away. It’s not usually necessary to list all the nursing education you’ve obtained when you start by listing the highest degree earned (e.g., MSN would be listed over a BSN).
A Licensed Practical Nurse may skip this step and move straight into the licensure portion, however a registered nurse resume could have several different nursing education degrees. It’s only necessary to list the highest nursing degree achieved.
Examples may include:
Licensure
It’s important to list your current nursing licensure (e.g. LPN or RN) as this is required for you to practice nursing. These nursing credentials should also be listed prominently because they let co-workers, patients, families and other healthcare providers know what level of care you are qualified to provide.
State Designations or Requirements
These nursing credentials show your authority to practice nursing at a more advanced level in your state. They include APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse), NP (Nurse Practitioner), CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist), CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife), and other designations which may vary by state.
National Certifications
These certificates are awarded by accredited bodies such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the National Certification Corporation (NCC) and others. Some of these certifications include:
- RN-BC (Registered Nurse - Board Certified)
- FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified)
- CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse)
- And others
Awards and Honors
Nursing awards and honors recognize excellence or outstanding achievements in nursing such as the Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN).
Other Recognitions
This area includes non-nursing certifications that may relate to healthcare or show additional skills that boost your ability to perform as a nurse. One example is the EMT-Basic/EMT which is granted by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Sample Credential Listings
Let’s look at some practical examples to help you put this information to use:
- Jane Brown, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Registered Nurse, Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner - John Smith, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC
Master of Science in Nursing, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified - Susan Clark, BSN, RN, FAAN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse, Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
What Credentials Do I Have to Use?
When listing your name and title on a legal document such as on notes for medical records or on prescriptions, you must include the credentials required by your state for your area of practice.
When listing your name and title in professional settings — on a nursing resume, written publications, for speaking engagements, or when providing testimony in a legal setting — you will want to include all relevant credentials in the order specified above. Please note that some medical journals may order credentials differently, and it is ok to alter the order to fit their style.
What to do if you have more than one credential in a category
You will always list the highest or most important credential first. Typically, you would only list the highest degree obtained, but there are instances where you may want to list other non-nursing degrees in addition to your nursing degree. A nurse administrator who has obtained an MBA may want to list that in addition to his or her MSN degree for example. In these cases, the highest non-nursing degree would be listed before the highest nursing degree.
If you have multiple nursing certifications, you may list these however you choose. You can list them in the order they were obtained or list them with the most relevant to your position first. The choice is yours. You will always list non-nursing certifications last (which is exactly opposite degrees obtained).
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Listing credentials in the wrong order: Education always comes before licensure and certifications.
- Using outdated or incorrect abbreviations: Verify credentials with certifying organizations.
- Overloading your title: Stick with relevant and significant credentials only, especially in signature lines or business cards.
Your Credentials Showcase Your Unique Abilities
Your nursing credentials help tell the story of your unique nursing career journey. List them proudly and in the right order. By following the recommended order of the American Nurses Credentialing Center, you will ensure that your nursing credentials are communicated clearly and professionally.
While your credentials may evolve throughout your career, the order in which you present them should remain consistent. Accuracy and clarity go a long way in building trust with your peers, employers, and patients and honoring your nursing profession.
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