Can NPS write prescriptions for themselves and Family?

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  1. This is a discussion on Can NPS write prescriptions for themselves and Family? in Nurse Practitioners (NP), part of Advanced Practice Nursing ... I know some states don't give prescription writing authority to NPs, but in the states that do, I...

    by Oct 11, '07
    I know some states don't give prescription writing authority to NPs, but in the states that do, I was wondering if NPs can write their own prescriptions and order their own blood tests?
    I don't mean for controlled substances, like morphine or something-
    But, I have a thyroid condition and I was wondering if someday- when I'm an NP- I will have the ability to order my own TSH tests and write my own prescription for Armour?
    I always have to rely on the whim of whatever doc I have to order the tests I want done. It took forever for me to get the dx of hypothyroidism. It would be nice to have the ability to order what I want done.
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    by diapason05 Oct 11, '07 6:46 pm
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  3. 25 Comments so far...

  4. Admin
    Oct 12, '07 by
    I wouldn't want to be prescribing for myself and/or family members. Not ethical and not legal in IL. It is a conflict of interest. In IL, you must have an established provider/pt relationship and they will discipline you if caught writing scripts in other situations.
  5. Admin
    Oct 12, '07 by
    All states now have prescription privileges.

    traumaRUs is correct, however, in that the APN self-prescribing is something where one needs to be careful and know his/her NPA.

    Here is a thread about this very topic:

    http://allnurses.com/forums/f34/can-...ves-68427.html

    Even if it is not expressly illegal under many state laws to prescribe a controlled substance for a family member, it is always inadvisable. If a pharmacist receives a prescription for a controlled substance for a patient with the same last name as the prescriber, the pharmacist may suspect that the prescriber is using the drug himself or herself and may report that nurse practitioner to the licensing board, which may investigate. The NP may find himself or herself in the position of having to prove that he or she is not self-administering controlled substances. Furthermore, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) numbers are specific to a practice setting, so an NP who prescribes a controlled substance for a family member who does not come to the practice setting may be violating 2 laws.
    celclt likes this.
  6. Oct 12, '07 by
    So.. I couldnt even prescribe thyroid hormone for myself?? That's kind of silly. I'm sure my provider would work with me though to order the tests I want and prescribe what I want for my thyroid. It's been so crappy trying to regulate my dosage. Some doctors have been dosing according to my symtoms, others only do it according to TSH. TSH is bunk, I believe.
    Last edit by sirI on Oct 12, '07 : Reason: TOS
  7. Admin
    Oct 12, '07 by
    Silly or not, if it is in your NPA that you cannot do so, then it is law.
    celclt likes this.
  8. Oct 12, '07 by
    Quote from diapason05
    So.. I couldnt even prescribe thyroid hormone for myself?? That's kind of silly. I'm sure my provider would work with me though to order the tests I want and prescribe what I want for my thyroid. It's been so crappy trying to regulate my dosage. Some doctors have been dosing according to my symtoms, others only do it according to TSH. TSH is bunk, I believe.
    Symptoms are the part that is bunk. If I had a dollar for every patient who came in and told me I'm tired/gained weight etc. my thyroid is off, I would be very rich. The way to regulate thyroid is by normalizing the TSH.

    As far as prescribing for yourself there is an old saying in law. Someone who serves as their own lawyer has a fool for a client.

    David Carpenter, PA-C
    BmoreCRNP, dansingrn, kanzi monkey, and 1 other like this.
  9. Admin
    Oct 12, '07 by
    Please do not debate personal medical issues. Please keep to the topic:

    Can NPS write prescriptions for themselves and Family?

    Thank you.
  10. Oct 12, '07 by
    Certainly NPs can write for their family members (at least in Wisconsin). This is exactly as it should be and I would view any attempt to change this as discrimination against those living in rural areas.
    I live in a very small town (pop. 505) in a very rural area. We have one NP staffed primary care clinic. If that NP could not write rx for her family members they would have to travel 74 mils one way to the next care provider, assuming they could get an appointment. I would assume that the family members would come to the clinic and be seen just like any other patient.
    Self prescribing would be another matter however.
  11. Admin
    Oct 12, '07 by
    Quote from PMFB-RN
    Certainly NPs can write for their family members (at least in Wisconsin). This is exactly as it should be and I would view any attempt to change this as discrimination against those living in rural areas.
    I live in a very small town (pop. 505) in a very rural area. We have one NP staffed primary care clinic. If that NP could not write rx for her family members they would have to travel 74 mils one way to the next care provider, assuming they could get an appointment. I would assume that the family members would come to the clinic and be seen just like any other patient.
    Self prescribing would be another matter however.
    I for one, am not absolutely saying it's not done. But, as you pointed out, this is what is done in your state. And, the individual family member must have a healthcare provider to patient relationship; not blindly prescribing without examination.

    Prescription without proper examination and diagnosis=malpractice

    Again, one would have to ensure their individual state NPA allows this.

    And, I totally agree with you about self-prescribing.
    ruralnurs likes this.
  12. Oct 12, '07 by
    I for one, am not absolutely saying it's not done. But, as you pointed out, this is what is done in your state. And, the individual family member must have a healthcare provider to patient relationship; not blindly prescribing without examination.

    *** Of course. As I said I would assume the family member would come to the clinic and be seen just like any other patient . In the particular case I am friends with the NPs husband. I know of one time he stepped on a nail and drove it right through his foot while wearing manure covered rubber barn boots. He went to the clinic (I drove him) where his wife examined him, had X-rays done and he left with a RX for vicodin and an antibiotic. Why should this farmer have to drive 74 miles to receive basic care because he happens to be married to a NP who is the care provider in our town?

    Prescription without proper examination and diagnosis=malpractice

    *** Of course, but that's not what I was talking about.

    Again, one would have to ensure their individual state NPA allows this.

    *** Very true, however in those states that don't the NPA should be changed and if I lived in such a state I would work for such change.