Prescribing Competencies for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

Abstract

Both educators and regulators have an interest in determining if advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are prepared to obtain prescriptive authority. A study was conducted to confirm competencies that could be adopted to prepare APRNs for prescribing. Prescribing competencies can serve as the foundation for evidence-based legislation, and regulation by state boards, which could allow APRNs to reach their full potential.

Keywords: advanced practice registered nurses , advanced practice registered nurses education , competencies , prescribing , prescriptive authority

In compliance with national ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.

1 Tracy Klein, MS, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN, is the advanced practice consultant for the Oregon State Board of Nursing in Portland.

2 Louise Kaplan, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, is an associate professor in the College of Nursing at Washington State University in Vancouver.

PII: S1555-4155(09)00580-7

doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2009.09.016

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