Prescriptive license....now what

1. I work in a nephrology practice and use script pads from the practice. No need to buy your own - in fact not advisable.

2. From your practice manager or clerk in the office.

3. In my state (IL) you can write for anything that a physician in your practice would write for. For instance, I write for HTN, DM, renal meds, antibiotics, narcotics, etc. However, I do not write for thalidomide which one of my pts is on for prostate cancer. Check your nurse practice act to ensure this is correct in your state.

4. Nope - wouldn't ever ever do this as you can lose your license for doing this in IL. In fact, I know someone who lost both their APN and RN license for writing scripts for folks (both family and non-family) because she had not developed a provider/pt relationship.

5. Again, never ever would write my own scripts for the above reasons.

Its best not to develop bad habits. Remember, you are held to a high standard and the higher the totem pole, the further the fall and the harder the landing.

I just received my prescriptive license today!! :DI have some questions and I know they are going to sound dumb but here it goes anyway...

1.) Do I need a prescriptive pad with my name on it to write and sign scripts or can I use the doc's or even a blank pad?

2.) Where/how do I get Rx pads

3.) I am in a cardiology practice. Am I limited to writing only cardiology meds? ( I think that would be dumb but...)

4.) Can I write scripts for someone who is not a patient (ex. family member with cough etc)

5.) Can I write a script for myself ( ABX, Nexium etc) if I needed to?

I feel really stupid asking these questions, but I know that the information given on this sight is great and without judgement so, thanks in advance:loveya:

This link may help answer some of your questions:

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter21/subchapCtoc.html

My BON provides guidelines about prescribing for family/self. I'm with traumRUs, however, in that I'd never prescribe for anyone w/o first having a provider-patient relationship.

Here's a link to an article from Medscape about the ethical issues providers face when treating themselves, families, and friends. It is given from a physician's perspective but it definitely applies to anyone with prescritpive authority.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/501964_1

Note: Medscape requires a login ID and password