How to Display Nursing Credentials: A Complete Guide
- Sharon Gordon
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 12
By Sharon Gordon, MSN, RN, CNOR(E)
Your credentials tell a story—one of dedication, expertise, and professional achievement. For nurses, displaying credentials correctly isn't just about following protocol; it's about communicating your qualifications clearly and professionally to colleagues, patients, and the broader healthcare community.
Why Credential Order Matters
Properly displayed credentials immediately convey your level of education, licensing status, and specialized expertise. They serve as a professional snapshot that helps others understand your qualifications and scope of practice at a glance.
The ANCC Standard: Your Foundation
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) provides the gold standard for credential display. Following their recommended order ensures consistency and professionalism across all nursing contexts:
1. Highest Degree Earned Your educational foundation comes first. These permanent credentials (like BSN, MSN, or DNP) represent your core academic achievement and cannot be revoked except under extraordinary circumstances.
2. Licensure Your license to practice follows next. This includes essential credentials like RN, LPN, or other state-required licenses that legally authorize your nursing practice.
3. State Requirements Advanced practice credentials required by your state, such as APRN or NP designations, come third in the sequence.
4. National Certifications Specialized certifications like RN-BC, CCRN, or other nationally recognized credentials that demonstrate your expertise in specific areas.
5. Awards and Honors Professional recognition and achievements that highlight your contributions to the field.
6. Other Certifications Additional credentials, including non-nursing certifications in allied health fields or other relevant specialties.
Context-Specific Considerations
Legal Documentation
When it comes to prescriptions and medical records, simplicity is key. Use only the credentials required for practice by your state—typically just RN and APRN. This ensures clarity in legal contexts where precise scope of practice matters most.
Non-Nursing Degrees
Sometimes your non-nursing education takes precedence. In business or administrative settings, you might display credentials as MBA, DNP, RN to emphasize your management expertise alongside your clinical background.
Clinical Settings
Many healthcare facilities prioritize immediate role recognition. In these environments, you might see RN, BSN displayed to quickly communicate the nurse's function to patients and families. Some employers establish specific credential display policies for their organization.
Magnet Hospitals
Facilities pursuing or maintaining Magnet designation typically require full credential display following ANCC protocol. This reflects their commitment to nursing excellence and professional recognition.
Publishing and Speaking
When sharing your expertise through writing or presentations, showcase your full credential set. This comprehensive display demonstrates the breadth of your education and expertise, lending authority to your professional contributions.
Best Practices for Professional Success
Be Consistent: Once you establish your credential order for a particular context, maintain it across all professional materials in that setting.
Stay Current: Regularly review and update your credential display as you earn new certifications or advance your education.
Know Your Audience: Tailor your credential display to your professional context while maintaining the foundational ANCC order.
Verify Requirements: Check with your employer, state board, or professional organizations for any specific credential display requirements in your area of practice.
Your credentials represent years of hard work, continuing education, and professional growth. Displaying them correctly ensures that your expertise is communicated effectively, whether you're charting patient care, publishing research, or introducing yourself at a professional conference. Take pride in your achievements—and make sure they're presented in a way that reflects the professionalism they represent.
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July 8, 2025
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