A PRN nurse is a fully licensed nursing professional who performs all the same duties as those employed full-time or part-time, but only works when the clinic, unit, or hospital needs help. PRN is an acronym for the Latin term “pro re nata,” which means “as the situation demands,” or simply, “as needed”. PRN nurses may work a single shift or may work a variety of shifts, filling in for nurses on vacation or in times of high need. They can work directly for a hospital as part of its substitute nursing staff or for a temporary nursing agency. 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. The job responsibilities for PRN nurses are not that different from regular nurses. They review patient charts, discuss ongoing patient care with physicians and other members of the healthcare team, explain medical treatment to patients and their families, and provide excellent bedside care such as administering medications and helping patients with daily living tasks while hospitalized for illness or injury.