Nurses To Prescribe Medicine

psychonurse · Dec 2, 2002

I work in a correctional facility and we have some protocols that we use when we see inmates in sick call and in an emergency basis. They are like standing orders for ICU or ER. We see someone with an ear infection or bronchitis we can order them some antibiotic or if they have constipation we can order them MOM for that. There are very few of the medications that need a prescription before ordering them. The orders for the medication that need a prescription have to be signed by the doctor within 48 hours of the order. The state board of nursing knows that we use protocols and I am very glad that we have them around cause we would be calling the doctor every 20 minutes about things that are going on. We also have emergency protocols for things like asthma and insulin reactions that we can follow to get the inmate through a rough spot, including starting an IV and giving D50. It really helps get through the emergencies without having to call the doc at the beginning. :cool:

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Dec 2, 2002

...nurses performing medical diagnosis & prescribing medication is something entirely different. i could see the necessity for nurses in extreme rual/hard to get to places getting additional certification/licensure in order to prescribe medication...but they would have to be on par with apns/pharmacist. peeps mcarthur is right...pharmiological make-up & chemical/biological breakdown of said pharmaceuticals are too complex & serious matter to get say...let the everyday nurses prescribe "otc or classes a, c, & d meds" with only one additional pharmacology course. i can see allowing pharmacist to prescribe medication...after all, they're drs of pharmacology & they understand the complexity of the chemical make-up & breakdown of drugs. i can almost go along with paramedics only because they're the first line of treatment for patients...i think that they could be given a lot more standing orders or emergency protocols...not so sure about them prescribing patient's medicaitons. i mean...what patients would they prescribe medication to??? the ones who call for a paramedic & then decline to go to the hospital??? yeah, i could just see that...there would be a field day with all sort of med seeking individuals just wanting some pain meds...calling for & holding up an ambulance...just to get a hit. what would be the parameters there??? lord...but i've digressed...sorry.

again, i can go along with outpost or rual nurses that have no access to mds/apns on a daily basis & they really need to get treatment for their most sickest of patients or patients with chronic conditions such as asthma...then those nurses should go through a series of additional courses in order to be able to prescribe said medications...otherwise...standing orders or emergency protocols are just fine....everyday staff nurses already have too much responsibility/liability on their hands now...they don't need this extra one...jmho.

cheers - moe.

originally posted by nurseman
outpost nurses can prescribe limited medication in canada without being a np.
we got isolation pay but nothing extra.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb/ons/nursing/resources/clinical_guidelines/index.htm#introduction

a class drugs are those that a nurse is authorized to prescribe independently.
b class drugs are drugs that may be prescribed only by a physician.
c class drugs are drugs that a nurse may prescribe for one course of treatment.
d class drugs are drugs that a nurse may administer for one dose only, in an emergency situation; any subsequent doses must be authorized by a physician.

TMPaul · Dec 3, 2002

Advanced practice nurses with a Master's degree or better AND pharmacology education !!!

RN auditor · Dec 3, 2002

A number of years ago I was a hospital corpsman in the US Navy and as a 19 year old with 6 weeks training I was allowed to examine, diagnose, and prescribe medication to other sailors under the supervision of a physician or PA. I was too young to be intimidated by it but without an advanced degree now I wouldn't even consider it. There was too much potential for misdiagnosis, wrong dosage, side effects, etc.

acaringnurse · Dec 3, 2002

i think ok for otc meds.

woundnurse · Dec 4, 2002

As a wound care specialist I often recommend treatments at physicians request but have to wait for days in order to get implemented. In some situations (and depending of area of speciality) I think its very appropriate. In my case I would only feel qualified to order topicals. Am currently in MSN program but will still not be considered advanced practice.

Cory RN, CWOCN

karenG · Dec 4, 2002

well I am a nurse practitioner and independant nurse prescriber- can prescribe a limited number of drugs including antibiotics for strictly limited conditions. It is making a difference to the way I work and no they dont pay me enough!!!

Karen

Nurses To Prescribe Medicine

(Under limited conditions) Should nurses be allowed to prescribe medicine?