Prescriptive license....now what

KatieRN04 · Jul 3, 2008

If I were you, I would check with the scope of practice in your state. If you do something you are not allowed, and get called to court, and you said, oh, so and so, said I could, I imagine that judge would laugh for following advice from online and not what is the law in your state and scope of practice.

johnson0424 · Jul 3, 2008

good questions! I would be interested about the answers

Trauma Columnist · Jul 3, 2008

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.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 3, 2008

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.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 3, 2008

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

Dixiecup · Jul 4, 2008

I work in a long term care facility. Our medical director does not have a practice anymore, he mostly just does nursing homes.

He is all the time writing scripts for employees (as well as other people) for different ailments and such. I've often wondered why he takes a chance in doing this.

These are not his patients. He doesn't even have an office or a chart on any of these people.

When I was doing clinicals last semester, my preceptor noticed a fever blister I had one day and said, "Here, I'll wirte you a script for that". And proceeded to do just that.

I took it because I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I never got it filled!