Registered Nurse Prescribing Practice Guideline
The Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses (CRNNL)1 is the regulatory body for nurses in the province. The mandate of the College is to protect the public through self-regulation of the nursing profession in accordance with the Nurses Act (2024) and Nurses Regulations (2026).
This document articulates the practice expectations for RN prescribers. An RN prescriber refers to an RN who has obtained the required education, authorization, and competence to add RN prescribing to their individual scope of practice as authorized by the College.
RN prescribing involves using the nursing process to:
- assess individuals within an employer sponsored area(s) of need, whom have conditions and require nursing care within the RN’s competence and authorization to prescribe
- establish a plan of care which may include:
- prescribing medications, ordering laboratory and diagnostic screening tests (including but not limited to ultrasound, x-ray, CT, etc.)
- and/or other non-pharmacological interventions, and making referrals within the parameters outlined by the employer sponsor
- provide nursing care and services
This document should be used in conjunction with applicable federal and provincial Acts and Regulations, the College’s RN Prescribing Framework and other relevant College documents/resources, employer/organization policies, and evidence-informed best practices. As self-regulated professionals, RNs are responsible and accountable to know their practice expectations and to practise in accordance with the current Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice Framework.2
The practice expectations for RN prescribing include legislative and regulatory expectations, practice setting expectations (e.g., assessment, orders and prescriptions, documentation, judgement and critical thinking, evaluation, and collaborative teams) and public expectations for client/person centered care.
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