what is prn in nursing

PRN is an acronym for the Latin term "pro re nata," which means "as needed" or "as the situation demands". In nursing, PRN refers to a type of work arrangement where nurses work on-call instead of as full-time employees. PRN nurses are fully licensed professionals who may work a single shift or a variety of shifts, filling in for nurses on vacation or in times of high need. They perform all the duties of a standard nurse, including checking on patients, administering medications, cleaning and feeding patients, changing linens, and performing other duties as needed. PRN nurses often work in different areas of a hospital, which provides variety and allows them to cross-train and gain experience in multiple specialties. To become a PRN nurse, one can apply to a nursing home or hospitals temporary nurse pool or work for a temporary nursing agency. PRN work allows nurses to have more control over their schedules and offers flexibility, but it may also have drawbacks such as not forming friendships with other members of the staff since they will not be consistently assigned to the same floor or department.