Experiences on Role Transition Among Nurse Prescribers

The aim was to describe the experiences of nurse prescribers on role transition during nurse prescriber education and working in a new role.

Nurse prescribing has increased globally, bringing a new importance for nursing. Transition into a new nursing role can be motivating, satisfying, and empowering. However, it can also be stressful and complex. It is important to know how the role transition from a nurse to a nurse prescriber could already be facilitated during studies and the first working years in a new role. As little work has been conducted on this topic, there is a gap in this research area.

This phenomenological study was implemented with 14 Finnish nurse prescribers using semi-structured individual interviews. The data were analyzed with inductive content analysis.

Altogether, this study identified four main categories for experiences on role transition. These main categories are in role transition during nurse prescribing education (1) learning decision-making; (2) meaningfulness of studies during education and at the beginning of nurse prescriber role at work; (3) development of expertise; and (4) significant change in work.

The meaningfulness of the learning and learning decision-making are important in role transition during nurse prescribing education. There is a significant development of expertise and change in work procedures during the transition from a nurse to a nurse prescriber.

Nurse prescriber education has a key role in the transition experience from registered nurse to nurse prescriber. It is also possible that healthcare units do not utilize nurse prescribers effectively.