practical nurse

noun

: a nurse who cares for the sick professionally without having the training or experience required of a registered nurse

Examples of practical nurse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Among other things, the passage rate for students taking the national licensing examination for practical nurses had slipped below 80%, a standard set in state law. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 16 Feb. 2024 Along with Hussin, the van, which is stocked with medication and equipment, including an ultrasound machine, is staffed with a doctor, practical nurse, lab technician and a medical assistant. D. Parvaz, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 Nurses delegate more straightforward clinical roles to licensed practical nurses. Jordan Rau, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2023 After admitting Betty, a practical nurse collected her vital signs. Niran Al-Agba, The New Republic, 21 Feb. 2022 See all Example Sentences for practical nurse 

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of practical nurse was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near practical nurse

Cite this Entry

“Practical nurse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practical%20nurse. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

practical nurse

noun
: a nurse who cares for the sick professionally without having the training or experience required of a registered nurse

Medical Definition

practical nurse

noun
prac·​ti·​cal nurse ˈprak-ti-kəl- How to pronounce practical nurse (audio)
: a nurse who cares for the sick professionally without having the training or experience required of a registered nurse
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!