Diverse views on nurse prescribing in a children’s hospital

June 6, 2009 by admin 

How is nurse prescribing being implemented in a specialist children’s hospital?  Healthcare professionals had a range of views on this in a series of interviews in this small study in a highly specialist setting. The nurses had differing views on autonomy - how much they have at present and how much they aspired to - and the authors conclude that this is reflected in the way prescribing was used in practice. Some nurses primarily used prescribing to improve the efficiency of their existing practice, with fewer diagnostic and assessment skills and little feeling of needing prescribing support; in contrast, those wanting to develop their practice further had greater involvement in new patient assessment, greater assessment and diagnostic skills, and would like more support.  The authors highlight the importance for organizations of the link between nurses’ expectations of their prescribing roles, the extent to which they use their prescribing qualifications, and the support they need.

The findings highlight the importance of a strategic approach to workforce planning: this approach had quickly superseded selection of nurses based around individual needs, and fostered consideration of issues such as education and support.

Carey N, Stenner K and Courtenay M. Views on implementing nurse prescribing by children’s nurses. Nurse Prescribing 2009; 7(5): 205-210.

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