Practical nurses (PNs) provide valuable, life-saving medical services in healthcare facilities around the globe. To become a PN, you’ll need to train through a practical nursing program. Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). Here, Prism Career Institute describes how long it takes to become a PN and provides insights into the process.
PN Responsibilities
As a nurse, you’ll have the ability to perform several tasks vital to the care of your patients and the smooth operation of the healthcare facility overall. Many professionals find this type of service to the public challenging, yet highly rewarding. While daily duties for a PN typically vary by facility and specialty, common responsibilities for nurses include:
Nursing Home PNs
From admitting new residents to assisting physicians during rounds, nursing home PNs perform a variety of tasks. Among other duties, they are responsible for performing ongoing physical and mental health assessments and making sure treatments and procedures are fully understood by residents and their families.
Hospital and Private Clinic PNs
Nurses in hospitals and private clinics are responsible for patient care planning and management. They record medical histories, verify and update chart information, measure vital signs, and administer medication injections. They also closely monitor their patients’ conditions as well as their reactions to prescribed medications and treatments.
Home Health PNs
Visiting patients in their private residences, home health PNs are often responsible for personal care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating, as well as aiding in medication management. They monitor overall health and provide basic medical assistance, such as changing wound dressings and catheters. Additionally, they may also organize personalized exercise programs for their patients.
PNs also advocate for the best interests of their patients, help ensure they’re comfortable while undergoing treatment, and make sure they understand the treatments in place. PN programs combine classroom and clinical work to impart a deep understanding of these and other essential skills, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN and a career in the field.
Learning How to Become a PN in the Classroom
PN programs prepare students for the tasks and challenges in the field and teach them how to provide quality, compassionate patient care. These programs can last less than two years. Common requirements for entering an accredited nursing program include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Holding a high school diploma or equivalent certificate
- Completing the admissions/interview process
- Passing an entrance exam
- Paying mandatory fees
At Prism Career Institute, our practical nursing program lasts for approximately 15 months for the day program and 17 months for the evening program (1,560 clock hours). Educational institutions often offer day, evening, and weekend classes to meet the diverse needs of their student body and employ a team of instructors who have first-hand experience in the field.
PN Examinations
Once you’ve completed a PN program, the next step is to prepare for the NCLEX-PN. You’ll need to apply for licensure/registration with the Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB). Once you’ve been deemed eligible by the NRB, your registration for the NCLEX-PN has been approved, and you’ve paid the exam fee, you’ll be authorized to take the test. The exam itself is several hours long, so make sure to block out ample time for completion.
Once the exam is complete, it takes approximately six weeks to receive the results. If you wish to retake the exam, you’ll have to wait 45 days before you can test again. After you’ve passed the NCLEX-PN, you can begin searching for employment in your field.
Learn More About Our Program
As an in-demand field, a variety of career opportunities are available for PNs in medical clinics, physician’s offices, outpatient care centers, and other settings. Our program is offered to those in Philadelphia, PA, and also Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ. Contact Prism Career Institute to learn more.