what is a pn

PN stands for practical nurse, also known as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in some states. A practical nurse provides routine care for sick, injured, or disabled patients, and their job responsibilities include taking vital signs, dressing wounds, assisting with bathing, dressing, standing, and walking. To become a PN, one must finish high school and complete a practical nursing course, which usually takes about one year. Unlike registered nurses (RNs), PNs do not need to obtain a college degree, but they must pass the NCLEX-PN licensure exam before they can be employed. PNs can work in a variety of settings, including clinics, physician offices, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric centers, hospice/homecare, and more.