nursing signing doctors Rx's

[curiousgeorge38]

I am pretty sure it is not but is it leagal for a RN sign a doctor's RX?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

No - at least not in IL. Unless you are an APN with prescriptive authority and even then you sign your own name.

[michellebsn]

no way. they have to sign their script as they are liable to the DEA as well as responsible for the meds proper usage.:nono:Its just like if you signed another nurse charts....BUT WORSE! You could probably lose your license!

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

I sign for the doctor under his/her instruction (PVO - per verbal order - Soandso MD/Ratched RN. I'm not prescribing, just writing out the prescription. Legal in my state.

[mediatix8]

I'm from Illinois. Where I work, can take telephone orders (no verbal orders- per hospital policy) from physicians and sign the chart: T.O. Dr. So-and-so/Nurse so-and-so RN (no relation). I've never seen that done on an actual prescription slip given to the patient, though.

[curiousgeorge38]

I didn't think it was legal. I know a nurse who does this all the time. I was fired from my job for calling in a refill but the original rx was given by the MD. They also said I changed an RX but in the chart notes you can see that the RN notified the MD and they changed it. I just called it in

[TazziRN, RN]

Nope, can't sign scripts unless the nurse can prescribe here. I do, however, call in scripts on a regular basis, don't really understand why you were fired for that if you had a script already filled out by the doc.

[curiousgeorge38]

because it was a pain medication and they said I did it without the doctor's knowledge which is not true. he gave him the rx on the first visit

I am just taking it as God has a bigger and better plan for me.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

If you mean writing on an Rx pad a new medication and then signing it with your name.....not legal. Nurses administer not prescribe or dispense. (doesn't apply to advanced practice nurses)

If you mean taking a verbal or called in order while working in the hospital or outpatient facility where the MD comes in and cosigns.....that's legal, but not good practice. In that scenario the doc can/could deny having given the order.

[curiousgeorge38]

No he wrote it , he signed it and the pharmacy called for a refill and I approved it

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

If it was a Schedule II narcotic there are no refills (not in my state). A new bottle of sched II pills requires a new prescription written by the doc or ANP.

I think Schedule III and IV can be called in with the doctors permission. The target words are Dr's Permission...documented in the chart.

How was this handled in your facility/office? Was the doc involved right at the time you called the refill? Or did the drug store call and you gave the OK without the doc being involved at the time?

[curiousgeorge38]

In our office we are allowed to refill such things as darvocet and vicodin for post bypass patients. If it is more than a few times then we consult the doctor so the patient can referred to pain management. Like I said it is just God's way of moving me on because otherwise I would have never left and been stuck under all that stress for a long time. It is not I place I ever felt job security ........even after 8 years