Have an Interview - What is a PRN?

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I am lost as to what I am doing. I am trying to get my foot in the door for nursing and I don't know exactly what to do. I am supposed to go in for an interview tomorrow at a retirement home and she is requesting a PRN. I don't know what that is or how to get one and I am hoping that you can help me out. If I succeed at this and becoming a nurse I will be the first one in my family to do it. I just need a little help if you can help me out here.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Are you a nurse?

PRN does not refer to a professional license, it refers to one's employment status, and means "as needed". Someone who works PRN is scheduled on an "as needed" basis, usually to fill in for other staff members' days off, sick calls, etc. S/he may work 2 shifts one week, five the next, and not at all the following week. It is usually not full-time employment, and does not usually include benefits.

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Are you a nurse?

PRN does not refer to a professional license, it refers to one's employment status, and means "as needed". Someone who works PRN is scheduled on an "as needed" basis, usually to fill in for other staff members' days off, sick calls, etc. S/he may work 2 shifts one week, five the next, and not at all the following week. It is usually not full-time employment, and does not usually include benefits.

Also, people who work PRN usually make more on the hour because they do not get the benefits that full-time employees get. For example, when I first started my LPN they were making $13 per hour where I worked. So as a new grad being PRN (sometimes also called contingent) I started out at $15 per hour. But the bad thing was we did not get raises like the full-time employees.

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Specializes in Float.

Are you looking to become a nursing ASSISTANT? If so that is very different from becoming a nurse. You don't just get your "foot in the door" of nursing. You go to college and get a degree, then pass a state board exam. If I am wrong on what you mean please feel free to clarify :)

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Specializes in Cardiac, Acute/Subacute Rehab.
...she is requesting a PRN. I don't know what that is or how to get one and I am hoping that you can help me out.

Please....PUH-LEAZE tell me you don't yet have a nursing license and that you're looking for something of a Nursing Assistant type?

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

According to peachesandcreams public information she is looking to "start a career as a nurse" or something like that. So from what I gather you (peachesandcream) your are not a nursing assistant or a nurse, am I correct?

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No I am not a nurse or a nursing assistant but I am trying to get started in the direction of getting there. I got a late start in education due to family health issues. I am lost on how to get started and if I am even going in the right direction by getting a job at a retirement home. If any advice I could really use it.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Have you a high school diploma or a GED?

If so look for schools and colleges that offer either an LPN diploma or RN degree. These are the only way you can become a nurse. What position in this retirement home are you looking for? If it is a nurses aide or assistant they are going to want you to have some experience as such. A lot of the time it is on the job training, but there are also schools that offer nursing assistant courses. I am thinking that if they want PRN (As needed pro re nata in Latin) they are going to want experience. Good luck and 23 is certainly not too old or too late to start Nursing School, I was 30 when I graduated.

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