MSN NPs not having prescriptive authority

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I'm interested in attending Nazarene Olivets MSN NP program in the fall. But A friend told me msn NPs won't have prescriptive authority after 2015 due to the AACN recommendation that NPs are doctorate prepared. I thought that's all it was a recommendation not a rule. The large schools have phased out their master NP programs but they still exist. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? Having prescriptive authority is crucial to being an NP so I would hate to waste my time and have a worthless/useless degree. I have full intentions of getting my doctorate but the program is much longer even if going fulltime which I would not be able to do at this time.

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Completely false. No need to worry.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Your "friend" is incorrect. Is your friend a NP?

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No she is not but she claims to work with NPs that forwarded this information. According to her they said they wouldn't be able to keep their jobs due to this going into effect. I found it hard to believe but didn't want to risk it either.

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Every time I think I've heard all the crazy rumors related to this issue, someone comes along with something new ...

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Even if state BONs did decide to enforce doctorate-only prescriptive authority, anyone holding an MSN and currently practicing will be grandfathered in, just like all this PAs out there who are still practicing under their bachelors degree

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I'm just terrified that it would be enforced as I'm halfway through my program. It's my biggest fear.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I'm just terrified that it would be enforced as I'm halfway through my program. It's my biggest fear.

It won't be. Rather, it is very very very very unlikely.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Prescriptive privileges are issued by each state/board of pharmacy and is not linked to the degree. (MSN/DNP). The DNP recommendation is just that. Currently practicing NPs will not be affected by "future" legislation. In the past, when changes were made, such as when MSN became required, NP's without MSN degree were "grandfathered" and could continue to practice without being required to obtain the MSN degree.

I'm just terrified that it would be enforced as I'm halfway through my program. It's my biggest fear.
You are in an Accelerated BSN program from your posts. You still have to finish the BSN, pass NCLEX, get some RN experience, then get accepted to NP program. You have a ways to go grasshopper. Maybe by the time you actually finish NP program, this issue will be resolved.
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I'm a planner. I'm graduating in April and passing my NCLEX soon after. I plan to apply and start the NP program with in a year so I would like to be well informed. I couldn't find much info online so I figured I might as well go directly to the source. Thank you everyone for the clarification! :)

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