The medical field offers exciting challenges every day, making it one of the most rewarding fields you can go into. From hospitals to long-term care facilities, help in this industry is always needed. This is why more and more individuals are looking into the field of nursing. But what does a practical nurse do? At Prism Career Institute, we offer an in-depth Practical Nursing program that helps those in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, learn all they need to excel in this fulfilling career.
What Is a Practical Nurse?
If you’ve spent time in a hospital or long-term care facility, chances are you’ve met with a practical nurse. These essential medical team members, also known as PNs, handle a wide range of different crucial tasks throughout a given day, all of which are geared toward helping patients or making life easier for the rest of their team.
Practical nurses are entry-level medical professionals who have completed an accredited program and passed their State Board exams. This title allows them to take on roles in a variety of different environments, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and more.
What Does a Practical Nurse Do?
Because the medical world is so unpredictable, no two days for a practical nurse will be the same. However, there are some PN responsibilities that you can expect to undertake most days if you enter into this profession, including:
- Recording a patient’s vitals, including blood pressure, pulse, and temperature
- Evaluating the patient’s wellbeing, and reporting any specific needs to medical staff
- Giving medications
- Taking samples of blood, urine, and tissue for analysis
- Updating RNs and doctors on a patient’s status
- Updating patient charts and health records
- Changing wound dressings, bandages, and bedpans
- Inserting catheters
- Resolving conflicts with doctor’s plans
- Advocating for senior patients
- Prepping patients for procedures
- Feeding or bathing patients
- Carrying out healthcare plans that the RN or doctor has created
Aside from these duties, practical nurses may be tasked with supervising certified nursing assistants (CNAs), providing invaluable knowledge and experience to help them learn. Because so much of your role revolves around patient care, practical nurses will also be expected to help offer support to patients when they need it.
What’s the Difference Between a Practical Nurse and a Registered Nurse?
Registered nurses, or RNs, have completed additional training. While practical nurses can generally complete their training in less than two years, RNs require more comprehensive training and education that will take at least two years. RNs will also have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to get their license, which helps prove they’re ready for the position by testing their knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Practical nurses spend more of their time providing basic care and helping the patients remain comfortable throughout their stay. RNs, however, tend to offer treatments and administer certain medications when needed. RNs are also tasked with providing medical advice and answering patient questions.
How To Become a Practical Nurse?
The first thing you’ll need to do on your path to becoming a practical nurse is to enroll in and complete an accredited training program, like the one at Prism Career Institute. This will help you earn your certificate. It will allow you to take the State Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN), which, upon passing, will enable you to legally work as a practical nurse.
You must have your high school diploma to enroll in a training program, but these programs may offer courses on nursing, biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, first aid, psychology, pharmacology, and more. You’ll learn how to care for patients and understand emergency medical technology. These programs also provide clinical training, allowing students to get practical lessons.
After receiving their licenses, many practical nurses look to further their training. This can mean becoming an RN or entering managerial roles. Becoming a practical nurse also opens other career opportunities. You can look into becoming a registered midwife, a medical sonographer, or a recreational therapist, for instance.
Enroll in Our Program Today
At Prism Career Institute, our Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill, NJ, locations feature outstanding instructors who help aspiring nurses get the education they need to pursue this highly satisfying career path. Our program helps create dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable practical nurses that can enter the workforce prepared for the road ahead.
Our Practical Nursing program requires 1,560 clock hours, helping students get more than enough training to find success in their careers. We also offer both day and evening courses, enabling you to fit your training around your schedule. Financial aid is even available for those who qualify to help afford education. If you’re interested in learning more about our Practical Nursing program or any of our other programs, contact us today with questions.