Can nurse practitioners prescribe medication?
Well, that depends on where you live. In some states, they can't. In other states, they can. And in still others, it's up to the nurse practitioner to decide whether or not they want to prescribe medication.
This article will explore some of the legal issues surrounding nurse practitioners and their prescribing power. We'll also look at some of the reasons why nurse practitioners may or may not choose to prescribe medications, as well as some pros and cons of allowing them to do so.
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medication Without Physicians?
Yes, nurse practitioners can prescribe medications, including narcotics and antibiotics. Nurse practitioners are health professionals who have completed a master's degree in nursing and have earned the right to practice independently as primary care providers.
If you see a nurse practitioner for treatment, she can perform most of the same functions as your regular doctor.
Nurse practitioners must meet specific requirements before they're allowed to practice independently.
For example, they must pass a national certification exam and obtain a license from the state where they work.
They also must complete an accredited graduate-level program that provides them with advanced knowledge and experience in their field of specialization.
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What Is the Difference Between an NP and a Doctor?
The difference between a nurse practitioner (NP) and a doctor is that NPs are not doctors.
NP’s are registered nurses who have completed a master's degree or higher in nursing and have been certified as primary care providers by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
The term "doctor" is not used in America to refer to all medical professionals, but only those with a doctoral degree, awarded after medical school and residency completion.
NPs work under the supervision of a physician, though they can practice independently in states that allow it.
They are trained to diagnose and treat patients' illnesses, administer medications, and order diagnostic tests.
In some states, NPs are allowed to prescribe particular medicines under specific circumstances.
In addition to their advanced training, NPs must complete continuing education courses every few years to stay abreast of new developments in their field.
Prescriptive Authority For Nurse Practitioners
In the past, nurses were only allowed to prescribe medications under certain conditions. The main reason for this was the fact that they did not have the proper education and training to perform such a task.
However, this has changed over time, and now more and more nurses are gaining prescriptive authority in order to perform their duties as nurse practitioners.
What Is Prescriptive Authority?
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), Prescription authority for nurses is defined as the ability for nurses to prescribe medication for their patients without the help of another medical professional.
According to the study, this ability allows them to treat their patients with medications that would otherwise be controlled substances and give them direct control over what drugs are prescribed to them.
This means that they can write these prescriptions without having to consult with an MD or another type of doctor first before doing so.
Who Grants And Regulates Prescriptive Authority To Nurse Practitioners?
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provides information on state regulations regarding prescriptive authority for nurse practitioners and links to state boards of nursing websites.
There are three different categories of nurse practitioner prescriptive authority:
Full practice authority
This is the most common type of nurse practitioner prescriptive authority. The nurse practitioner can prescribe any drug in any dose, schedule, and route that is not controlled.
Nurse practitioners with full practice authority can also prescribe controlled substances only during their practice.
Reduced practice
A reduced practice state allows NPs to prescribe but not without direct physician oversight. Under this model, an NP must practice within specific guidelines set by their licensing board, such as having a collaborative agreement with a physician for oversight.
The state may also require an NP to be supervised in some way by a physician or other licensed healthcare provider.
Restrictive Practice
In restrictive practice states, a physician supervises a nurse practitioner's prescription authority.
In these states, the physician must be physically present when the nurse practitioner writes or delivers a prescription or makes a referral to another provider.
In some cases, the supervising physician must approve the treatment plan before the nurse practitioner implements it.
Recent Practice Authority Developments
The recent influenza pandemic has forced many states to loosen restrictions on nurse practitioners (NPs) practicing without physician supervision.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that the federal government and most states' loosened restrictions are only temporary.
Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin temporarily suspended all restrictions on NPs. Additional 14 states waived some requirements of practice agreements, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, and Oregon.
In addition to these changes for NPs during this pandemic season, the AANP notes that some states have taken additional steps to expand NP' scope of practice in areas such as prescribing controlled substances and hospital privileges for delivery of care services within hospitals or surgical centers.
The full-Practice Authority States, Districts, and Territories
The AANP has identified 25 states and the District of Columbia as full-practice authority states.
The term "full practice authority" refers to the ability of nurse practitioners to provide primary care to patients without any physician oversight.
This means that in these states, NPs can diagnose and treat illness, prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests and interpret test results.
Source: AANP
The Partial Prescriptive Authority States, Districts, and Territories
The 14 states under reduced practice are listed below. The Code of Federal Regulations defines the following as partial prescriptive authority states:
Source: AANP
No Prescriptive Authority States, Districts, and Territories
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, only 11 states remain under restrictive practice. AANP recently passed California Senate bill 890 due to the pandemic to allow nurse practitioners to practice independently by 2023.
Some of these states are:
Source: AANP
Benefits And Drawbacks Of Granting Prescriptive Authority To Nurse Practitioners
Benefits
The benefits of granting prescriptive authority to nurse practitioners (NPs) are numerous. NPs meet all the requirements for prescribing controlled substances and medications, with the exception of completing a one-time course on prescribing controlled substances.
1. Cost-Savings
In 2014, an estimated $6 billion in taxpayer dollars were wasted due to low-value prescriptions written by physicians and issued by pharmacists.
By allowing NPs to prescribe medications, we can decrease costs by reducing unnecessary spending on unnecessary prescriptions.
2. Increased Accessibility
In many rural areas, there is a shortage of primary care providers, especially for women's health issues like prenatal care and postpartum mental health issues.
The ability of NPs to prescribe medications would allow them to provide more accessible care in these areas where it is needed most.
3. Improved Access To Care
Patients who see an NP instead of a physician often have greater access to care because fewer barriers exist between them and their providers. For example, many people prefer not to see a doctor unless they have an acute illness or injury.
However, they want someone who can address their everyday health concerns and help them prevent future problems.
With more NPs providing care in more places, patients can get the care they need without having to wait for an appointment with their physician or travel long distances for specialty care.
4. Alternate Care Provider In The Hospital Setting
Nurse practitioners can act as alternate care providers in the hospital setting, meaning they can treat patients under the supervision of a physician.
This is beneficial because it helps reduce wait times for patients who need immediate care, and it reduces the number of patients that need to be seen by doctors.
This also increases efficiency in hospitals, especially during busy times.
Drawbacks
Prescription authority is the ability of an advanced practice nurse to prescribe medications, sign orders and provide other services that are considered within their scope of practice.
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners has been advocating for state legislation to grant prescriptive authority to nurse practitioners since 2000.
The issue is currently being debated in many states as a way to improve patient care access and reduce costs by increasing the supply of primary care providers.
However, there are several drawbacks to granting prescription authority to nurse practitioners, including:
Increased liability risk for medical malpractice claims
Increased risk of drug interactions from prescribing medications without physician oversight
Potential harm to patients who may be prescribed inappropriate medications
Potential harm to patients who may be prescribed multiple medications that interact with each other negatively
Which Drugs Can an NP Prescribe?
The drugs that NPs can prescribe vary from state to state. In some states, only certain drugs may be prescribed, while all types of medications are allowed in others. For example, some states allow NPs to prescribe controlled substances, while others do not.
In most states, NPs may prescribe:
Antibiotics
Anti-hypertensives (medications used to lower blood pressure)
Analgesics (pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen)
Cardiovascular drugs (cholesterol-lowering medications and medicines used to treat high blood pressure)
Diabetics medications (insulin and oral medicines used by people with diabetes)
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen; these are often given after surgery)
Contraceptives – Birth control pills, patches, or rings (if you're over 18) that prevent pregnancy
Bronchodilators – Drugs used to open up the airways in people with asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Cholesterol medication -- statins, niacin, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, etc.
Thyroid medication -- levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid), liothyronine sodium (Cytomel), triiodothyronine sodium (T3), or combinations of these medications
What Medications Can Nurse Practitioners Not Prescribe?
Nurse practitioners are authorized to prescribe medications in all states and provinces. However, there are some medications that nurse practitioners cannot prescribe.
The following is a list of such medications:
Controlled substances or substances that could be used to commit suicide (e.g., narcotics)
Substances used for recreational purposes (e.g., cocaine, heroin, marijuana)
Antiretroviral therapy for the prophylaxis of HIV infection and cancer treatment
Coca leaves (for medical use)
Opium (for medical use)
Anabolic steroids and their derivatives
Cancer drug treatment
Conclusion
There's no doubt that nurse practitioners have a lot to offer the medical industry. They can take some pressure off of doctors and help patients get the care they need in a timely manner while still maintaining the high level of care that people expect from their doctors.
However, it's important to remember that not all nurse practitioners are created equal. Some of them will be more qualified than others.
If you're looking for someone who is qualified and capable of prescribing medication, make sure you do your research before settling on a practitioner. If you've been asking yourself, “Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Medications?”, we hope this article answered your questions.
FAQs
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Adderall?
Yes, nurse practitioners can prescribe Adderall. Nurse practitioners are authorized to prescribe any medication that is not limited to a specific class of drugs.
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Antibiotics?
Yes, nurse practitioners can prescribe antibiotics to patients in need. Nurse practitioners are required to have the same qualifications as doctors, and they are able to perform a wide variety of medical services.
The only limitation is that nurse practitioners cannot prescribe controlled substances.
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Psychiatric Medication?
Yes, nurse practitioners are able to prescribe psychiatric medication. They are also able to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
Can Nurse Practitioners Diagnose?
Yes, nurse practitioners are licensed to diagnose. In fact, they can diagnose and treat many illnesses, injuries, and health conditions.
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Antidepressants?
Yes, nurse practitioners can prescribe antidepressants. They are trained to diagnose and treat mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
