Sample Answer for NUR-635 Topic 1 DQ 1 Included After Question
Depending on the board of nursing in your state, there may be additional requirements to become a prescriber after you complete your APRN program. For example, those who are licensed/practicing in California are required to take an additional 3-hour pharmacology course for prescribing privileges. Describe the necessary steps required by your state in order to become a prescriber. Hypothetically, after you have completed these steps, you decide to celebrate on a family vacation in a different state. Your sister asks you to refill her levothyroxine because she forgot to pack her medication. What are the legal and ethical implications in your state as a new prescriber? Describe the requirements necessary of an APRN to prescribe medications.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 1.2, 2.2, 2.5. 4.2, 6.4, 9.2
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NUR-635 Topic 1 DQ 1
Title: NUR-635 Topic 1 DQ 1
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I see everyone in some capacity has stated this is an ethical issue of prescribing to patient you are not treating.
If we look at the question, differently and focus the problem form you not being able to prescribe, but turn our attention to ensure your sister’s thyroid level is maintained.
What option’s can we consider, luckily this medication is a non-controlled and lesser regulations apply. If your sister has an established history with a pharmacy and the medication therapy has been consistent for at least 12 months:
Per Arizona Revised Statues 32-1979.01
A pharmacist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter may dispense a onetime emergency refill for each prescription of a non-controlled medication used to treat an on-going medical condition.
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For a new advanced practice provider, or an NP new to California, the first step to prescribing in the state is to apply for an advanced practice license. Along with this application, you will have to submit a furnishing number application. A furnishing number is required for nurse practitioners to prescribe in California. The second portion of the Furnishing Number Application must be completed by the NP program, verifying the pharmacology content of education. If you attended a nurse practitioner program in California, chances are that the pharmacology component of your NP program curriculum meets state requirements for prescribing Schedule II drugs (3 hours of Schedule II pharmacology content). If you did not attend a nurse practitioner program in California, or your program does not meet the education requirements for prescribing Schedule II drugs in the state, you’ll need to proceed with getting a DEA number, completing an approved continuing education prescribing course, then apply for a schedule II furnishing license (Tolbert, 2022).
In most states it is technically legal but not encouraged to treat and prescribe for friends and family. However many states have caveats to this treatment. In some states providers can prescribe to these individuals only in emergency situations. In others a written record of an exam and treatment is required. Federal law requires that to prescribe controlled substances, there must be a bona fide provider-patient relationship including a written record (Tolbert, 2022).
References:
Erin Tolbert, M. (2022, May 5). 4 steps to full prescribing as a California nurse practitioner. ThriveAP. https://www.thriveap.com/blog/4-steps-full-prescribing-california-nurse-practitioner
Erin Tolbert, M. (2022b, May 5). Should providers treat their friends and family?. ThriveAP. https://www.thriveap.com/blog/should-providers-treat-their-friends-and-family
To become a prescriber in California, you must obtain an advanced practice certification, for example, as a nurse practitioner. Then, you must apply for state licensure through the California Board of Nursing (BON) and specify the intent to seek prescriptive authority. Upon approval, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) involves steps and requirements to become a prescriber. The first step to prescribing in California is to apply for your advanced practice nursing license. Along with this application, you will also submit a furnishing number application. A furnishing number is required for nurse practitioners to prescribe in California (Tolbert, 2017). If you attended a nurse practitioner program in California, chances are that the pharmacology component of your NP program curriculum meets state requirements for prescribing Schedule II drugs (3 hours of Schedule II pharmacology content). Nurse practitioners are permitted to prescribe with a furnishing number alone. The California Board of Nursing requires that advanced practice nurses complete a minimum 3-hour approved CE course and have a very specific set of education objectives that must be met for nurse practitioners to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances. Essentially, there is only one course that meets state requirements. This course is offered through the California Association for Nurse Practitioners (Tolbert, 2017). However, you must also apply for a DEA number one to prescribe controlled substances. Once these steps are completed, once you have completed the requisite Schedule II prescribing education, you will need to let the Board of Nursing Know. Submit a written request for Schedule II prescribing privileges and a copy of the continuing education completion certificate (Tolbert, 2017).
However, ethical and legal considerations are crucial when refilling medications for family members or friends. There are strict regulations against prescribing medicines for family members or friends unless a formal patient-provider relationship exists (Woo & Robinson, 2020).
Prescribing medications outside of a professional context can raise serious ethical concerns and potentially violate state laws. In this hypothetical scenario, it is not appropriate or legally advisable for the newly licensed prescriber to refill her sister’s levothyroxine prescription, even if she is licensed to prescribe in California. Healthcare professionals must adhere to ethical principles and legal regulations to maintain the integrity of patient care and uphold professional standards (Woo & Robinson, 2020).
Reference
Tolbert, E. (2017). 4 steps to full prescribing as a California nurse practitioner. Thrive AP. https://www.thriveap.com/blog/4-steps-full-prescribing-california-nurse-practitioner
Woo, T. & Robinson, M. (2020). The role of the advanced practice nurse as prescriber. Pharmacotherapeutics for Advance Practice Prescribers (pp. 3-10) (5thEds.), Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company
