A PRN nurse isn’t employed full-time or part-time but works shifts as the need arises. “PRN” refers to pro re nata, which translates to “as the situation demands.” PRN nursing requirements include a nursing degree, license, and at least one year of clinical experience.
A PRN nurse works on an as-needed basis, rather than being employed full-time or part-time. What is a PRN nurse’s career like? It’s similar to working as a substitute teacher. Healthcare facilities turn to PRN nurses when they need to fill scheduling gaps. The nursing field offers flexible scheduling and specialization options, enabling nurses to shape their career paths.
If you’re interested in switching careers or majors to nursing, Felician University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program may be right for you. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible to earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months. At Felician University, you can put yourself on a faster path to becoming a nurse.
While planning your nursing career goals, take a closer look at the PRN nurse meaning to determine if it could be right for you. Explore the answers to common questions, such as “What is PRN work?” and “What does PRN mean in medical terms?” and learn how to become a PRN nurse.
What Is a PRN Nurse?
Much like a substitute teacher or a freelancer, a PRN nurse works on an as-needed basis. PRN is an acronym for pro re nata. This is a Latin phrase that translates to “as the situation demands.”
Healthcare facilities may turn to PRN nurses to fill in the gaps when staff nurses are sick, on vacation, or on parental leave. PRN nurses can also step in when a hospital experiences high patient volume to ensure patients receive the care they need.
What Is a PRN Schedule Like?
A PRN nurse’s schedule is best described as unpredictable. One week, they may work just one shift, then have a full schedule the following week. They may also accept a shift a few hours before it starts, or they may have advanced notice.
Keep in mind that PRN nurses are generally not obligated to accept shifts; they can decline any shift they do not wish to work.
What Does a PRN Nurse Do?
PRN nursing is not a practice area in itself. Rather, it’s a type of schedule. A PRN nurse may specialize in any number of practice areas, such as medical-surgical, emergency, or post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nursing. Because of this, the job responsibilities of a PRN nurse can vary considerably.
What is a PRN job like? Some responsibilities may include the following:
- Administering medications
- Assisting with diagnostic tests and collecting lab samples
- Coordinating care services
- Educating patients on conditions and treatments
- Handling patient intake and discharge
- Monitoring vital signs
- Conducting head-to-toe assessments
- Performing wound care
- Recording patients’ medical histories, symptoms, and concerns
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Benefits and Challenges of PRN Nursing
Before deciding if meeting the PRN nursing requirements is worth it for you, consider the potential benefits and challenges of this type of nursing career.
Benefits of PRN Nursing
Many nurses enjoy PRN scheduling because it offers more flexibility than staff positions. You’ll have the option to pick up shifts when it works for you, which can help you meet personal obligations like caring for children and elderly parents.
Because they do not work consistently, PRN nurses typically do not receive a benefits package; however, to help compensate, they are often paid a higher hourly rate than their full- and part-time colleagues.
Challenges of PRN Nursing
Despite the potential benefits, there are also drawbacks to a PRN nursing job. Scheduling can be unpredictable, even when a certain number of hours per week are guaranteed, and PRN nurses often float between units. Additionally, as mentioned, PRN nurses do not typically receive a benefits package.
PRN Requirements: What Do You Need to Qualify?
If you’re interested in learning how to become a PRN nurse, you’ll need to start with education. PRN nurses need a nursing degree from an accredited institution and a registered nurse (RN) license. You can obtain an RN license by passing the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
After becoming a licensed RN, you’ll typically need at least one year of full-time clinical experience at the bedside before transitioning to PRN nursing.
PRN Schooling: What Degree Do You Need?
You will need a nursing degree that leads to an RN license to become a PRN nurse. It’s possible to become an RN with either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
The BSN entails a more comprehensive nursing education that can better prepare you to contribute to favorable patient outcomes. A BSN program will also cover advanced competencies such as nursing leadership and advocacy. In addition, it can lay the foundation for applying to a graduate nursing program later if you wish to pursue career advancement.
How to Become a PRN Nurse
If nursing is a good fit for you, consider following these steps to become a PRN nurse:
Earn a BSN
The first step is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. If you have prior non-nursing education, you may be eligible for Felician University’s ABSN program. After completing prerequisites, you could earn a BSN in as few as 16 months.
Our ABSN program has three main learning components to prepare you for a nursing career:
- Coursework: Choose from online or on-site classes. Our hybrid learning option is available at our learning site in Parsippany, New Jersey, and our on-ground learning option is available at our main campus in Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Labs: Regardless of your program delivery option, you will participate in in-person nursing skills and simulation labs to acquire foundational nursing skills and clinical judgment.
- Clinicals: Experience clinical rotations in various practice areas, providing hands-on care under supervision in facilities within the Atlantic Health System and other leading healthcare providers.
Obtain an RN License
After earning a BSN, you can request authorization to test (ATT) for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. This exam tests your ability to develop appropriate nursing decisions for various clinical situations. Felician University provides thorough NCLEX-RN preparation to help you succeed on the exam. Once you pass, you can register with your state’s board of nursing to obtain a license.
Gain Clinical Experience
As a newly licensed nurse, you can start looking for your first nursing position. Apply to jobs in your desired specialty. Keep in mind that PRN nursing jobs are most plentiful in specialties such as:
- Critical care
- Emergency room nursing
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Operating room/perioperative care
After working in your chosen nursing specialty for at least a year, you can start looking for PRN nursing roles. Later on, you may wish to earn certifications in your nursing specialty in preparation for career advancement.
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Is PRN Nursing Right for You?
PRN scheduling isn’t right for everyone, but for those who need a highly flexible schedule, it can work well. A PRN nursing job may be ideal for individuals who:
- Are interested in higher pay with fewer hours
- Are willing to work peak hours and holiday shifts
- Take care of children or elderly family members
- Are looking for a healthcare career with a flexible schedule
Additionally, a PRN nursing job may be right for people who thrive on unpredictable routines, have excellent time management skills, and are adaptable.
Start Your Nursing Journey with an ABSN Program
No matter what type of nursing career appeals to you, you can take the first steps with Felician University. Our ABSN program delivers a values-based curriculum and flexible learning options. You can choose from our Hybrid ABSN at our Parsippany, New Jersey learning site or our On-Ground ABSN at our main campus in Rutherford, New Jersey. Both options enable you to graduate in as few as 16 months.
Contact an admission counselor today to explore the possibilities at Felician University.