PRN (or Pro Re Nata ie as needed) medications are an intervention that nurses in mental health inpatient setting use. For certain populations, for example adolescents, there is little evidence on effectiveness. Though PRN use is viewed as a helpful tool for mental health nurses, it can also be considered a coercive measure that falls within the category of chemical restraint. Mental health nurses must have a comprehensive understanding of the medication they are giving, why they are giving them, and how it may help or harm the patient. The following tips might help develop your practice.
1. Give PRN medication based on the assessment that you do today, right now, not based on an assessment that another nurses did yesterday.
2. Understand the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the medication you are giving. If you do not know these then you are not safely and competently giving that medication.
3. Understand you professional practice standards, including standards of documentation. Pre and post assessment are required and documentation should be done in a timely manner (meaning as soon as care happens).
4. Know the population you are giving medications to. An older adult population is different than adult and different than a child or adolescent.
Love,
Michelle D.
nursingforsocialjustice 
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