Should nurse practioners be allowed to write prescriptions?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a new nursing student and I am curious to know opinions about this topic. Thanks for any replies!!!

Hello, stephcollier,

I see you have issues regarding this?

Yes, we have prescription privileges. Why?

I live in Georgia and NP do not have the right to write prescriptions. I know few states are in the same situation. I was just curious to to see how admantly people felt and what kind of answers I would get to my question. Thanks for your reply!!!!

I live in Georgia and NP do not have the right to write prescriptions. I know few states are in the same situation. I was just curious to to see how admantly people felt and what kind of answers I would get to my question. Thanks for your reply!!!!

if georgia does not trust certified nurse practitioners to write scripts, then 2 year ad rns should not be allowed to take telephone or verbal orders.

....it must be the old 'if it's convenient for the doctors, it's all good.'

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Absolutely. They already DO in *most* states, anyhow.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Our NP's can...they have a list from the state of things they can write for, some things they cannot, like narcs.

The Good 'Ol Boy network here in Georgia certainly doesn't think so.

I believe we may be the last state without privilages.

My opinion? Yes they should have privilages.

I have a gut feeling that is fixing to change. It has been brought up a few times now and the care here in the metro atl. area is average @ best in terms of wait times and time spent.

Mat

I know the NP's here in Georgia have their own way of working around the no Rx privilage situation. I'm not going to write it out word-for-word here and set up and investigation, but I will tell you I and my children usually ONLY see NP's and I am very well taken care of.

I do hope this changes. The healthcare system in GA is a mess and we need all of the advanced practice nurses we can get helping the southern half of the state....and all of the rest of the people who can not affort the puffy cost of MD's. NP's are well-educated, trained, experienced and qualified providers....they are also very cost-efficient for the system. Once the "boys" see that here in GA, it shouldn't be too long before they wise up. Problem is, the Doctors (Physician Associations) in the state have the boys' eyes covered with dollar bills...so all they see is dark green right now and they're plenty content with it. (*I'm sorry. Was that my "out-loud" voice?*)

I know the NP's here in Georgia have their own way of working around the no Rx privilage situation. I'm not going to write it out word-for-word here and set up and investigation, but I will tell you I and my children usually ONLY see NP's and I am very well taken care of.

I do hope this changes. The healthcare system in GA is a mess and we need all of the advanced practice nurses we can get helping the southern half of the state....and all of the rest of the people who can not affort the puffy cost of MD's. NP's are well-educated, trained, experienced and qualified providers....they are also very cost-efficient for the system. Once the "boys" see that here in GA, it shouldn't be too long before they wise up. Problem is, the Doctors (Physician Associations) in the state have the boys' eyes covered with dollar bills...so all they see is dark green right now and they're plenty content with it. (*I'm sorry. Was that my "out-loud" voice?*)

Georgia sounds like Florida in the 80s and early 90s. Keep the pressure on and the situation will change, believe me.

Grannynurse :balloons:

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

In Tennessee NP's can write any script they want. It's up to the doctor they work for whether or not the script has to be co-signed. The majority of them do not require the script to be co-signed. I personally think it's a good idea to have a physician co-signer.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I personally think it's a good idea to have a physician co-signer.

I am curious, DutchgirlRN,

Why?

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Yes, NPs should be allowed to write Rx's. :) PAs too. :)

I think we might be the only state in the Union without prescriptive authority. What a distinction.

NP's can practice and "prescribe" only under the auspices of a physician.

the poster who referred to the "good ol' boy" network in Georgia hit the nail on the head. The Medical Association of Georgia, or MAG as they are (dis)affectionately known, has enormous clout with the Georgia legislature.

Plus in the Ga legislature the speaker of the house has full authority to decide what bills will be brought up for a vote, even if the bill has the luck to make it out of committee. You should sit in on a session sometime. It is very enlightening.

Yes, I am an NP student. I cannot help but think that it will change one day, I only hope that it is in my lifetime.

Meanwhile, I keep hoping, and praying....and writing my legislators. I ask those of you who are Georgia nurses to please do the same. Access to quality healthcare for Georgians is far less than optimal, and is really pathetic in rural areas.

Those of you who are not in Georgia just pray for us.

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
I am curious, DutchgirlRN,

Why?

The two NP's that I see are awesome and I trust them like I do my physicians. With NP's just like with RN's there are those that are awesome and then there are those few who are not worth the paper their diploma is printed on. I'm sure everyone has worked with that RN that you think YIKES how did she/he ever pass boards, "I'd never let them touch a family member". There are NP's like that also. I have worked with several. I wouldn't want an inexperienced, lazy or just plain dumb nurse working with me, taking care of patients or God forbid take care of one of my family members. Just as I would stay with a hospitalized family member 24/7 to protect them I would appreciate their physician co-signing any script.

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