Establishing a collaborative psychopharmacology practice: practical considerations

Prescriptive authority for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse (APPN) is accompanied by the following advantages: expanded treatment repertoire, increased marketability due to the practicality of having one provider for psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, and increased collaboration with colleagues. The disadvantages associated with prescriptive authority include: increased professional responsibility and associated liability, labor intensity due to continuing educational demands, medical record documentation, and time-consuming dialogues with referring clinicians. A preexisting relationship between the APPN and the psychiatrist that is based on mutual respect and similarities in treatment philosophies and ethical issues positively influence outcomes.