Independent Nurse: Practical Prescribing

September 20, 2008 by admin 

I am a Nurse Practitioner. Our PCT is asking non-medical prescribers to complete a detailed Performa including information of the sections of the BNF from which we prescribe, and evidence of education and competence. This information is required to be updated annually. Can this be enforced?

If this is policy, you must work within it. The NMC CPD guidance for prescribers (1) recognise that appraisal of CPD needs should be undertaken annually as part of performance review and preferably using a recognised tool such as the NPC NIPEC tool. This will identify the level of CPD you require in order to demonstrate competency to meet education and practice needs. You are also required to keep a portfolio that demonstrates CPD and your ongoing needs. Although you are responsible for your own CPD needs, your employer must support you in addressing them. What you are being asked to do, ‘fits’ with this guidance.

Some nurses list the areas in which they prescribe as an ‘intent to prescribe’. They say that this is helpful document to which to refer if asked to prescribe outside of their area of competence. However, they also say that to have anything to rigid in place restricts practice i.e. as competencies develop, these areas extend. A discussion with your manager about this might be helpful. Hopefully, you would be able to add to the Performa as your area of competence grows.

As a Nurse Practitioner your area of practice will be vast and so difficult to list all the categories of medicines that you prescribe along with associated CPD evidence. A group of Nurse Practitioners in Bradford are currently in the process of completing a local appraisals pilot, involving the collection of robust evidence demonstrating performance. Ghislaine Young (ghislaine.young@bradford.nhs.uk) is the person you need to contact.

1) NMC. Guidance for CPD for Nurse and Midwife Prescribers NMC circular 2008 10/2008

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