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Prescriptive Authority for Nurses: The Canadian Perspective

  1. Cheryl Forchuk RN, PhD,
  2. Rosemary Kohr RN, PhD

Article first published online: 4 JAN 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2009.00194.x

Issue

Perspectives in Psychiatric Care

Perspectives in Psychiatric Care

Volume 45, Issue 1, pages 3–8, January 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Forchuk, C. and Kohr, R. (2009), Prescriptive Authority for Nurses: The Canadian Perspective. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 45: 3–8. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2009.00194.x

Author Information

  1. Cheryl Forchuk, RN, PhD, is a Professor, School of Nursing, University of Western Ontario, and Scientist, Assistant Director, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; and Rosemary Kohr, RN, PhD, is an Advanced Practice Nurse, London Health Sciences Centre, and Associate Professor, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

*Author contact: cforchuk@uwo.ca, with a copy to the Editor: pearsong@psychiatry.uchc.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 4 JAN 2009
  2. Article first published online: 4 JAN 2009

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Keywords:

  • Advanced practice nursing;
  • Canada;
  • medical directives;
  • nurse practitioner;
  • prescriptive authority

PURPOSE. This study aims to describe the role of prescriptive authority for nurses within Canada.

CONCLUSIONS. Prescriptive authority for Canadian nurses is linked to the development of advanced practice nursing generally and nurse practitioners specifically. Recent legislative changes allow nurse practitioners to function more independently regardless of the availability of medical practitioners. The smaller population results in less legislative variety for specific nurse practitioner specialty areas. Facilitators and barriers to implementing effective prescriptive authority remain as challenges and mirror findings from other literature.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Role clarity, strength in nursing focus, and support from administrators and legislation are required for prescriptive authority to be fully enacted.

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