Question about nurses and prescriptions?

[rondo341]

Why can nurse practitioners write prescriptions, but nurse anesthetists cannot? I know practitioners can't write them in Georgia, but anesthetists can't anywhere.

Nurse anesthetists are at the top of their field, yet they don't have the power to write prescriptions?

Why is this? Can CRNAs write prescriptions in any state?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

the short answer is that prescriptive authority is not granted by the degree or education you have, but by the board of registration in nursing in your state that issues you a license. nurse practitioners have the classroom and clinical education to meet criteria to sit for the licensing exam to obtain prescriptive authority via licensure as anp, and to maintain it with ceus afterwards.

nurse anesthetists practice in a comparatively circumscribed field, and do not.

[ktliz]

NPs in GA can prescribe now.

I'm guessing it has to do with the specific education of NPs vs. CRNAs. CRNA programs are not intended to prepare advanced nurses for primary care. Except for the core nursing science courses, all their courses are focused on anaesthesia.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

The information about licensing and education is correct. Also:

A CRNA does not operate as head of a private practice or as a primary caregiver. A CRNA performs anesthesia as needed for a procedure. There is no need for a CRNA to prescribe medications to perform his/her duties.

[MunoRN, RN]

NP's are allowed to act independently of an MD or other LIP and therefore have prescribing ability, CRNA's are not allowed to act independently and work under an MD.

[SnowStar4]

What need would a CRNA have to write a prescription?

[Asira]

CRNAs are at the top of their field? Why? Because they are paid the most? IMHO NPs and CRNAs are two TOTALLY different career paths and no more ahead of each other than other options like Nurse Researchers, ect.

[SeeTheMoon]

NP's are allowed to act independently of an MD or other LIP and therefore have prescribing ability, CRNA's are not allowed to act independently and work under an MD.

In GA NPs and PAs work under a doc, but they CAN write scripts. Matter of fact, I got one from an NP filled this morn, but my pharmacist had to call the clinic to remind them *again* she said that the docs name must be on the script.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Depends on the state. In NJ CRNA's can write prescriptions. What they need to write prescriptions for depends on the setting they are working. For instance, if a CRNA is working in a pain clinic they may need to write scripts for patients.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

CRNA's are not allowed to act independently and work under an MD.

Not true. Many states use ACT models where the CRNA practices under an MDA. However, if you go out into the more rural parts of the country, you will find CRNA's practicing independently without the supervision of an MDA because of "opt out" states. It really comes down to the state you are practicing in.

[MunoRN, RN]

In my state at least NP's can practice without coordinating with an MD, most of our low-income clinics are staffed by only NP's without any MD's on staff or in positions of oversight such as medical director. Some of our hospitalists are also NP's who manage patients without coordinating with an MD. CRNA's in my state though must work under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist, the initial assessment must be done by the MD, the set-up must be checked my the MD, and the MD must continuously round on any cases with CRNA's.

[meandragonbrett]

I CRNA's in my state though must work under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist, the initial assessment must be done by the MD, the set-up must be checked my the MD, and the MD must continuously round on any cases with CRNA's.

There is no state that requires supervision of a CRNA by an anesthesiologist. Supervision and medical direction are two very things and are generally misunderstood.

CRNAs DO have prescriptive authority in a handful of states. CRNAs DO work in settings other than the operating room such as pain clinics.