Prescriptive authority for psychiatric clinical specialists: framing the issues

Prescriptive authority is of increasing interest to advanced practice psychiatric nurses. A growing number of states have passed legislation authorizing prescriptive authority for this specialty group. In preparing for an orderly assimilation of this intervention into psychiatric nursing's existing scope of practice, it is important to understand some of the unique issues facing the specialty. This report provides an overview of prescriptive practice legislation, legal issues associated with prescribing psychotropic medication to psychiatric clientele, and prescriptive activities common to the specialty practice of psychiatry. Issues for the specialty of psychiatric nursing are reviewed and recommendations are offered for an action plan.