New NP grads and prescriptive authority in Colorado

U.S.A. Colorado

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  • by mzaur
    Specializes in Mental Health.

Hi everyone,

I'll be applying to MSN programs soon and want to eventually move to Colorado and practice there as a psychiatric NP. I'm reading about the requirements for prescriptive authority and find it rather confusing. 1,800 hours of post-graduate precepted prescribing experience is required before you get your provisional presciptive authority. Then you have to do 1,800 more hours via "mentorship" before you get your full prescription authority. Is that right? Does that mean that after graduation, I have to essentially work for free and get 3,600 hours before I can work as an NP? Or will I be able to work as an NP during that time?

If anyone has gone through this, please let me know.

Thanks!

klone, MSN, RN

14,786 Posts

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

From what I understand, you will still be able to work as an NP, but won't have full prescriptive authority until you fulfill the precept hour requirements.

mzaur

377 Posts

Specializes in Mental Health.

Thank you. Do you know how difficult it is to get a psych NP job in Colorado as a new grad without prescription authority?

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