NR 508 Week 1: Discussion- Foundation of the Role of the Nurse Practitioner as Prescriber

NR 508 Week 1: Discussion- Foundation of the Role of the Nurse Practitioner as Prescriber

  • Describe NP practice in your state.
  • Tell the class what your state laws are related to nurse practitioner prescribing.
  • Include how many continuing education hours are required for your state.
  • Describe the importance of knowing the specific laws in your state pertaining to Nurse Practitioners prescribing medications. NR 508 Week 1: Discussion- Foundation of the Role of the Nurse Practitioner as Prescriber

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In my home state of Georgia, an advanced practice nurse is defined as being able to “perform highly skilled nursing acts and specialized medical acts within the scope of APRN specialty certification as specified in a Standard Nurse Protocol for APRNs in Public Health Agreement per Medical Practice Act” (Georgia Department of Public Health, 2018). APRNs are required to have at least their master’s or doctorate and training beyond just what they learned as an RN. You must also hold a licence to practice in your state through the Georgia Board of Nursing and have an identification number through the DEA and the Georgia Composite Medical Board. To prescribe medications, the APRN must complete a pharmacology course and work with a physician who is willing to enter into a written protocol agreement. This means that the doctor gives the APRN permission to prescribe, but must also keep an eye on the APRN and the APRN must report directly to the physician. The Georgia Department of Health says that “while APRNs practice with minimal supervision, the APRN maintains a relationship of collaboration with the Delegating Physician” (2018). In Georgia, APRNs are allowed to prescribe schedule III to V class drugs, but they are not allowed to prescribe schedule II drugs. When it comes to continuing education as an APRN, you are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two year licensing period (Georgia Department of Health, 2018)NR 508 Week 1: Discussion- Foundation of the Role of the Nurse Practitioner as Prescriber . It is extremely important to know these laws so that you are not practicing in such a way that could get your license taken away or your supervising physician in trouble. When you know what kind of medications you can and cannot prescribe, you do not have to worry that you will prescribe something that you are not supposed to and your supervising physician can be sure that you will not be a liability. This is also where continuing education comes in. If you stay on top of current laws and do research to make sure that you are following the laws correctly, it will be smooth sailing as a Nurse Practitioner.

NR 508 Week 1: Discussion Reference

Georgia Department of Public Health. (2018). Georgia department of public health prescriptive authority for advanced practice nurses toolkit. Department of Public Health. Retrieved from NR 508 Week 1: Discussion- Foundation of the Role of the Nurse Practitioner as Prescriber