How to Properly Write Your Nursing Credentials

Why It Matters in Healthcare and How It Elevates Your Resume

In nursing, how you list your credentials isn't just a formality—it’s a reflection of your professionalism, education, and qualifications. Whether you're applying for a remote telehealth role, submitting documentation, or networking on LinkedIn, writing your nursing credentials correctly shows you understand industry norms and take pride in your professional standing.

Why Credential Formatting Matters in Healthcare

Healthcare is a profession built on trust, standards, and qualifications. Your credentials quickly tell employers and peers:

• What level of education you've completed (e.g., ADN, BSN, MSN)
• What licenses you hold (e.g., RN, LPN)
• Any certifications you’ve earned (e.g., CCRN, CPHQ, Telehealth Nurse Certified)

Proper formatting ensures your background is clear at a glance and aligned with professional expectations. It’s especially important in telehealth and remote nursing, where hiring managers often review dozens (or hundreds) of resumes—those that look polished and organized stand out.

The Correct Order for Listing Nursing Credentials

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) recommends listing your credentials in the following order:

1. Highest Degree Earned
2. Licensure
3. State Designations or Requirements (if applicable)
4. National Certifications
5. Awards and Honors (rarely needed on a resume)

Example:

If your name is Jane Smith and you hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, are a licensed Registered Nurse, and are certified in Ambulatory Care Nursing, your credentials should appear as:
Jane Smith, BSN, RN, RN-BC

If you’re a nurse practitioner, it might look like this:
Sam Taylor, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Quick Tips for Listing Credentials on Your Resume

• Keep it consistent across your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, and email signature.
• Avoid listing your title as “RN” under your name in the header—instead, list it professionally in the credentials line.
• Don’t include unapproved or informal abbreviations. Stick to recognized credentials.
• Avoid redundancy. For example, don’t include “BSN” if you’ve listed “MSN.” Use the highest earned degree.
• Include state licensure details elsewhere on your resume, such as “Registered Nurse – WA License #123456.”

Clean Header Example for a Resume:

Tiffany Jones, MSN, RN
Seattle, WA | 555-555-5555 | tiffany.jones@email.com | LinkedIn URL

Why This Adds a Polished Touch

Hiring managers notice the little things. Well-formatted credentials:

• Show that you're detail-oriented
• Reflect professional maturity
• Demonstrate respect for industry norms

This becomes especially important in telehealth, where your virtual presence—including your digital documents—is your first impression.

TL;DR: Credential Formatting Cheat Sheet

✅ Right Order: Degree > License > State Designation > Certification
✅ Consistent Formatting: Use commas, no periods (e.g., RN, BSN)
✅ Highest Degree First
✅ Keep it aligned across resume, email, LinkedIn

Want to Stand Out Even More?

Our Telehealth Nurse Mastery Suite includes a professionally designed resume template and optimization guide—plus examples of how to present your credentials the right way. Built by nurse hiring managers, it’s the fast-track to a polished application.

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