Should nurse practioners be allowed to write prescriptions?

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

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
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.

Hello, DutchgirlRN,:balloons:

Yes. Some NPs have no business in practice. Some physicians have no business in practice as well. :stone

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

I have a good friend at work who I love dearly. She is graduating as an NP in May. Although I love her I have to honestly say she is not the brightest crayon in the box. I can't believe some of the questions she comes to me with. I think her being a NP is scary. It's not just me other co-workers have mentioned it too. I won't say anything to her. She may do just great under the direction of a physician.

I hope it works out for her... I can say the same thing about a couple of MD's I know!!

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Specializes in OB, lactation.
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.

That's a shame when utilizing more NP's, CNM's etc. traditionally helps rural/underserved areas - saves $$$ too. Hopefully they can use other states as examples of how it works fine.

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my cousin was a rn for years and just finished her np program. she too is allowed to write scripts. in fact, i may be more inclined to trust a np over some md's...... :uhoh21:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.
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.

I agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly. As a native and resident of Georgia, I have to say How embarassing. Have you ever seen a copy of the actual legislation promoted by the GNA? It's as deferential as possible and still those Good ole boys won't even consider it. In fact, at least in past years it got out of committee, this past year it didn't even get that. And with the current Georgia Legislature which clearly considers physicians God and to heck with the healthcare consuming public, this isn't likely to change.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Yes, and why shouldn't they?? Some of the FNP I work with can even write TRIP meds with proper advanced training. I am sure the doctors would be upset if the FNP and PA could't write RX's "Sorry to bother you Doc, I have concluded that my patient has a UTI, I believe Macrobid would be the best for my patient, could you please stop everything you are doing and write the RX up for me?" please.... :nono:

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Prescribe? Of course. Whyever not? And since I live only 40 mi from GA and all my local tv is from there. If you're near our border come on over as our NPs are great. SC has its own "politics" but fortunately we also have a good BON.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
Hello, DutchgirlRN,:balloons:

Yes. Some NPs have no business in practice. Some physicians have no business in practice as well. :stone

Yes Siri you are absolutely right. I meant to mention that also.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

I think one of the major benefits, for me, in seeing a NP, is that he/she can write scripts.

I'm sure there are some NP's that shouldn't be practicing, but the same is true for MD's.

I find it ridiculous that the "old school" network in GA won't let NP's write Rx's. I know here in NH they convened a special committee in state government a few years ago, because there was a shortage of anesthesiologists, and many hospitals wanted to hire more CRNA's, but the anesthesiologists were trying to block them from doing that, saying they weren't MD's, and therefore not as competent (or some other type language). Unbelievable!!

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