So for those who read this blog, particularly those who know me in real life, you realize I have a background in science and have returned to school to get a degree in Nursing.  I’ve done this perhaps the ‘less traditional’ way around in that I did a BSc, an MSc worked for several years and then changed my mind and realized I wanted to do something that mattered. So now I’m getting my BSN (so that I’ll be able to go for my RN).   Needless to say once I’m done school and need to use credentials professionally I’ll use “My Name, MSc, RN”.  Professionally, right now, I use “My Name, MSc”.  But, I’ve been thinking about school and whether or not I should use my credentials when I submit assignments.
Sometimes I find that as soon as my professors find out what my background is I get 100x more respect as soon as they do find out I’ve got a graduate degree, yet I’ve been concerned about other more negative opinions on this (I’m sick and don’t think I can be more articulate than that at the moment).  But, here’s the thing: I worked incredibly hard to get my MSc and I’m proud of it, and I have a career’s experience to go along with it — I didn’t just walk out of school yesterday with the degree.  Having this background says something and as one of my clinical instructors pointed out, in the future it will open doors for me that other students in my class wont have.  So, I also sort of feel as though I have the right to use my credentials on my assignments, afterall if I’m submitting my assignment to “Instructor’s name, MSN, RN” or “Instructor’s name, PhD, RN” why can’t it be from “My Name, MSc”?? Or should I continue just to avoid using it?  It is unusual to have someone with a graduate degree go through the program — there  are 2 of us in the program.
In a professional context, I wouldn’t hesitate: I use them.   Thoughts? To use? Or not?