Informing and Supporting the New Clinical Nurse Specialist Prescriber

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Pharmacology
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are educated to diagnose, treat, and prescribe.
• Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), an APRN role, are less likely to prescribe compared to other APRNs.
• Statutes governing CNS prescriptive authority are evolving.

Purpose of the Study:

• To inform and support newly authorized CNS prescribers.
• To review the scope of CNS prescribing, including credentialing and privileging.
• To offer current recommendations for safe and effective CNS prescribing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of CNS prescribing practices.
• Analysis of statutes and regulations impacting CNS prescriptive authority.
• Synthesis of safety strategies and educational considerations for CNSs.

Main Results:

• CNS prescribing is an advanced care intervention with evolving legal frameworks.
• Credentialing, privileging, and safety strategies are crucial for CNSs.
• Educational preparation influences CNS prescribing competency.

Conclusions:

• CNS prescribing can improve patient care and address unmet needs.
• Further research on CNS prescribing outcomes, especially in acute care, is essential.
• New CNS prescribers require comprehensive support and updated recommendations.