Pre-nursing and licensed practical nursing are two terms that are related to nursing, and often cause confusion. These two terms are related to nursing but they have different concepts in the nursing field.
What is pre-nursing?
For the students who want to pursue their career in nursing, pre-nursing is considered the preparatory phase. This preparatory phase is before entering a formal nursing program, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). These pre-nursing programs include basic and essential knowledge and skills that will help students in providing safe and efficient care to the patients.
Goals of pre-nursing programs
The primary goal of a pre-nursing program is to provide students with foundational knowledge of nursing and meet academic requirements. The curriculum of the pre-nursing program usually covers subjects such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Nutrition
- English composition
Completing a pre-nursing does not provide a licence to work as a RN. However, it’s just a step towards a nursing career. Students who want to work as RNs must apply to nursing schools after completing pre-nursing.
Who should consider pre-nursing?
Pre-nursing programs are for those individuals who want to pursue their career as RNs. Pre-nursing programs, however, do not fulfill all the educational requirements to work as RNs. After completing pre-nursing, individuals should enroll in nursing schools. Nursing schools are quite complex and extensive: therefore, pre-nursing programs can provide a strong and basic foundation to step into nursing school.
What is a practical nurse (PN)?
Practical Nursing is a profession related to healthcare that concentrates on delivering basic nursing care under the administration of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. They provide basic and specialised medical care to a diverse range of patients. PN’s work in healthcare settings to provide specialised care to the patients PNs often work in clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, and home health care entities, among additional medical establishments. They serve as a link between patients and other healthcare teams . They help patients in performing their daily activities and also perform various duties like monitoring patients vitals, taking care of wounds, and administering medications. They require comprehensive skills, proper clinical knowledge, and strong communication skills in order to provide safe and effective care to the patients. PN’s play a significant role in taking care of the patients, such as monitoring vital signs, generating assessments on patients, helping patients in doing basic activities, assisting physicians, and maintaining patient documentation.
Goals of an PN program
The goal of the PN program is to provide students knowledge and skills with hands-on training to work in different healthcare settings, such as clinics, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. The curriculum of PN programs typically covers subjects such as:
- Basic Nursing Skills
- Patient Care
- Pharmacology
- Medical Terminology
- Infection Control
- Wound Care
After completing PN programs, students pass the NCLEX-PN exam to obtain licensure to work as an PN.
Who should consider becoming an PN?
PN programs are completed in 12-18 months. PN programs are approved by the state. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which you must pass to begin your career as an PN. PN programs are typically shorter than RN programs. Those individuals who want to work further as a high-level nurse, such as an RN or advanced practice nurse, must pass the PN program. Practical nurses work in long-term facilities and nursing homes. They can also serve in outpatient clinics and hospitals, but their role is limited as compared to RNs.
Key differences between pre-nursing and PN
The key differences between pre-nursing and PN programs are:
- Educational focus
- Length of study
- Career outcomes
- Licensure and certification
- Job roles and responsibilities
Can pre-nursing lead to becoming an PN?
Pre-nursing programs and PN programs are both different nursing programs that are important to pursue a career in nursing. Pre-nursing programs only provide the foundation to enrol in further nursing programs. Pre-nursing programs alone are not enough to become an PN. Individuals who want to start working sooner in healthcare settings becoming PNs is a good option rather than completing their RN program first. It is very important to remember that completing pre-nursing education by itself does not make one eligible to work as an PN. To sit for the NCLEX-PN and get a licence, students would still need to enrol in and complete an approved PN program.
Conclusion
It is very important to know the difference between pre-nursing and PN programs. Pre-nursing is the preparatory phase, whereas the PN program provides both classroom lectures and hands-on training to become a practical nurse. Both of these programs have different opportunities and different outcomes in the nursing sector. By keeping in mind the differences between both programs, one can make more clear educational decisions and achieve career goals.