Prescriptive Authority: State Regulations Compare Texas to Massachusetts
Please compare Texas to the post below which is Massachusetts.
The scope of practice of a nurse practitioner, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), includes prescription. This organization recognizes the act of prescription as being within NP practice and can never be differentiated. However, AANP acknowledges the need for state boards to regulate this solely on the basis of the NP’s role, educational level, and subsequent certifications. According to The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (2022), authorizing nurses to prescribe legend and controlled medications has huge benefits to patient care. They include timely delivery of medication, cost-effectiveness of seeking care, and enhancing the quality of care. The adoption of prescriptive authority varies from one state to another depending on the rules and regulations governing nursing practice.
In Massachusetts, where I practice and intend to continue practicing, prescriptive authority is an important aspect of NP’s practice that is regulated by the board. In MA, an APRN is allowed to apply for prescriptive authority after meeting a set of regulations (Mass.gov, 2022). This opportunity excludes the clinical nurse specialists (CNS) who are not allowed by the law to register for prescriptive authority. Before being granted the authority, the APRN must have undergone a supervised practice for at least two years working under a qualified healthcare professional (Mass.gov, 2022). During this period, the supervisor must sign an attestation that the observation has been undertaken and one can now apply for the authority. Certified nurse midwifes (CNMs) are excluded from the requirement and can applying from prescriptive authority directly after qualification. During the supervision period, the APRN and the qualified healthcare professional (a physician in the same line of practice) must establish mutually agreed guidelines to act upon during the process.
There are several restrictions applied to renewal of prescription authority in MA every two years. During this period, one must complete some educational requirements before applying for renewal (Mass.gov, 2022). Firstly, the APRN should be educated on effective pain management and the risk of abuse of opioid medications. Therefore, APRNS should be equipped with knowledge on how to identify patients at risk of abusing medications. Secondly, the nurse should be educated on counseling patients, especially on side effects of medication, risks of addiction, proper storage of medication, and disposal of prescription medications. Thirdly, a nurse should complete education on quantities of prescription medication that should be provided to a patient at risk of substance abuse. This knowledge is important in guiding the nurse in executing their prescriptive authority professionally and in a way that reduce risks substance abuse.
