Prescribing Knowledge and Practice Patterns of Advanced Practice Nurses

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study is to explore the medication knowledge and prescribing practices used by APRNs.  Information about advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) knowledge and practice patterns as related to prescribing medications is limited at the state, national and global levels. Yet prescribing medications is an important component of clinical practice for the APRN practitioner.  Previous studies identify that prescribing medications is influenced by education and knowledge, practice settings, self-efficacy related to culture, external factors such as collaborating partners and cost (Gielen et al, 2014; Hussein & Brow, 2014; Buckley et al, 2013; Dawson & Lighthouse, 2010; Kennedy-Malone, et al, 2008).  Yet recent replication of  these studies  is lacking even though the numbers of APRN prescribers have grown significantly, increasing the number of prescriptions currently being written.  In addition, little is known about changes in APRN prescribing practices and medication knowledge as prescribing scope of authority has been expanding.  Prescriptive authority varies across state lines, and modifications in state regulations are often in transition.  In some states, regulations are emerging from a limited prescriptive authority in supervised practice to a more broad scope of prescribing practices, including the addition of prescribing opioid medications.  Assessing the knowledge and practice patterns of APRNs after new prescribing legislative changes have occurred will help provide a model for initiating future legislative changes in other states and provide a global model of advanced practice patterns.

Methods: A convenience sample of  APRNs will be surveyed related to their medication knowledge and prescribing practices.  Participants will be recruited through APRN organizations at the state and national levels using a directed email request. The electronic surveys will also be sent to directly to all Ohio APRNs with designated Certificate of Authority (COA) for prescriptive practice.  Completion of the survey will imply informed consent, and participants may withdraw at any time.  IRB approval has been obtained. 

Results:

Study results will be reported using descriptive statistics. Implications for practice will be discussed.

Conclusion: With a growing number of APRNs both nationally and globally, practice patterns especially related to prescribing medications can be important indicators of APRNs' knowledge and competencies.  Assessing current practice patterns and medication knowledge helps to build the foundation to provide targeted education to this population in order to provide safe and effective quality healthcare.