What Does PRN Mean in Medical Terms?

In life, it seems we're always trying to find ways to communicate more efficiently. There's an abbreviation or acronym for just about anything, and this is especially true for nurses. Using shorthand in conversation and notes can be a helpful time saver in a profession that demands a lot of quick thinking and action. From types of nurses (RN, CNA, LPN) to shorthand used on the job (GSW, Fx, DX), there are a lot of terms to learn and keep up with. In this guide, we'll discuss a common medical abbreviation, PRN, which is both a medical abbreviation and a type of nurse. So, what does the PRN medical abbreviation mean and how should it be used? Click below to jump to a section or keep scrolling to learn more.

1. What Does PRN Stand For?
2. What Does the abbreviation PRN Mean in Medical Terms?
3. What is a PRN Nurse?
4. Pros and Cons for a PRN Nurse
5. How to Become a PRN

What Does PRN Stand For?

As it turns out, PRN is an acronym for a Latin term and stands for "pro re nata," which translates literally to "concerning a matter having been born." In context, it was typically used to refer to a special assembly or meeting that was called to discuss a new and previously unknown topic or issue. Piece by piece, the phrase is defined as follows:

• pro: "On behalf of" or "for"
• re: "thing" or "matter" or "something"
• nata: "born" or "descending from" or "arise"

While we're sure this history lesson is exciting, the more practical knowledge worth learning is the proper use of PRN as a medical abbreviation in today's culture.

What Does PRN Mean in Medical Terms?

In medical terms, PRN means "as needed" or "as the situation arises" in most contexts. Having evolved from its original Latin meaning of calling a meeting or discussion, PRN is commonly used today in the context of prescribing medication. After assessment of a patient's symptoms and condition, a nurse may prescribe a painkiller PRN, or as needed. The important thing to remember when writing or reading this term on a chart is that it doesn't necessarily mean a patient can have more of a drug whenever they want. Rather, it's meant to help ensure the patient receives the drug in a timely and logical manner.

For example, you may see on a chart that a drug has been prescribed for use "every six hours PRN." This means that the patient can be given more of that drug every six hours if they need it (e.g. pain is still high). The inclusion of the time limit prevents the patient from receiving an unsafe level of medication, while the use of PRN ensures they won't continue to receive additional doses for no reason (e.g. they are no longer in pain). This can be important to clarify with patients, since some may misunderstand the meaning of PRN and think they can receive additional doses at any time.

What is a PRN Nurse?

Just as medication can be prescribed PRN, a nurse can work PRN. A PRN nurse is someone who works flexible hours as needed, often dictated by the employer. In a hospital setting, this usually means they're the backup who is called in if someone else is out sick or on vacation, or extra help is needed that day. More often, PRN nurses work for agencies that can connect them with assignments at hospitals and medical centers in multiple locations. It's also common for specialists to work PRN, since their expertise can be better utilized on an as-needed basis when a particular situation arises.

Pros and Cons for a PRN Nurse

As with any job, there are positives and negatives to working as a PRN nurse. We've compiled a few here:

PRN Nursing Pros

1. Flexibility: PRN nurses can more easily shape their schedule to fit their lifestyle. For example, they often have the ability to turn down shifts that are offered to them if they have a personal conflict or have already worked as many hours as they'd like for the week.
2. Experience: If you're trying to network or learn a new skill, a PRN role may be right for you. Experienced nurses struggling to find full-time work can leverage a PRN role to continue gaining experience and have the chance to work with multiple teams in different facilities. It creates an opportunity to prove their skill and work ethic enough to open the door to a permanent position. It's also common for nurses to take PRN roles as a way to cross-train in other departments and broaden their expertise.
3. Career Transition: Since PRN roles aren't locked into a set schedule or number of hours, they can be a great fit for someone looking to transition in their career. If you're pursuing a new passion or going back to school, working PRN would allow you to continue earning an income while freeing up time to explore something new. It would also ensure that your nursing license remains active as you consider your next steps. On the other end of the spectrum, PRN roles are a good option for reducing hours gradually for those moving closer to retirement.
4. Salary: While your career decisions should never be based entirely around money, it's always a good idea to include finances in your list of considerations. Compared to regular nurses, PRN nurses are often paid higher hourly wages, and this gap can be magnified since PRN nurses are more likely to work night shifts or on holidays when they can earn time and a half or double time.

PRN Nursing Cons

1. Salary: Since PRN nurses work as needed, their income may be inconsistent at times. The higher base salary also comes at the cost of minimal benefits such as health insurance and PTO. If salary is a top priority for you, check out our study on the Best States for Nurses.
2. Job Security: Since they aren't full-time, permanent employees, PRN nurses are often some of the first jobs to be cut when downsizing occurs. In some instances, PRNs are also ineligible for unemployment if laid off.
3. Poor Shift Times: It's common for PRN nurses to work during less favorable times since the purpose of the role is to fill in when others are unable or unavailable to work. This means you would likely work more nightshifts, weekends, and holidays, so we recommend stocking up on some comfortable scrubs for those extra shifts.

While this isn't an exhaustive list, it does highlight some of the most important differences between working PRN and full-time. As always, it's important to weigh what matters most to you from a career and work-life balance perspective to decide if a PRN position is right for you.

How to Become a PRN?

If you've read up to here and want to learn more about how to become a PRN nurse, there are a few general steps and recommendations to be aware of:

1. Obtain an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in nursing or graduate from a nursing school.
2. Take the National Certification Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses.
3. Spend one year working as an RN to gain experience before pursuing a PRN position.

The scheduling requirements and typical job description of a PRN nurse often require you to be proficient as a generalist who can assist with a variety of tasks and responsibilities. By focusing first on your education, certification, and entry-level experience, you'll be well-positioned to move into a PRN role.

Read More: Six of the Highest-Paying Nursing Jobs that Require Additional Certification

Sources

• RxList. "Definition of P.R.N." https://www.rxlist.com/. 20 December 2020.
• Chron. "RN to a PRN" https://work.chron.com/. 20 December 2020.
• Latin is Simple. "pro re nata (PRN, prn)" https://www.latin-is-simple.com/. 20 December 2020.