The scope of practice prescribing standards, limits, and conditions set foundational requirements for prescribing by BCCNM certified practice registered nurses (RN(C)).
What will I learn?
Standards
Prescribing
The prescribing standard applies when RN(C)s prescribe a medication to be dispensed by a pharmacist to an individual client.
RN(C)s who prescribe comply with all BCCNM standards, limits, or conditions applicable to the situation. The prescribing nurse assumes full responsibility and accountability when issuing the prescription.
Certified practice prescribing requirements
RN(C)s who wish to add prescribing to their practice must successfully complete BCCNM-approved education to prescribe medications, within their certified practice designation, in employer-approved practice settings, and for specific client populations. RN(C)s who prescribe must fulfill all Quality Assurance requirements. Adding prescribing to your practice is optional, not mandatory.
RN(C)s who wish to add prescribing to their practice must first:
- Successfully complete BCCNM-approved education and training.
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Apply to BCCNM for prescribing authority and obtain a BCCNM-assigned prescriber number.
- Enroll with the Medical Services Plan (see
MSP enrolment).
- Be recognized by their workplace as a prescriber, prescribe in practice settings or facilities permitted by the employer, and follow workplace policies.
- Be familiar with their responsibilities under the
Controlled Prescription Program (for OUD certified practice designation only).
- Prescribe only those medications outlined in the decision support tools for their certified practice designation.
RN(C)s certified in OUD prescribe only for the diagnosis and treatment of opioid use disorder as outlined in the BCCSU decision support tools.
Consulting and referring
RN(C)s certified in OUD refer to BCCNM's resource Certified practice prescribing for OUD – Consulting and referring when consulting with or referring to other health professionals when prescribing for OUD.
FAQs
- What's the difference between prescribing, giving a client-specific order, and dispensing?
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Prescribing, giving a client-specific order, and dispensing are separate and distinct activities. They are
not the same thing.
Prescribing: A nurse
prescribes when they issue a prescription for a pharmacist to dispense a specified medication for use by a designated person. Only nurses with certified practice are authorized to prescribe. General practice nurses are not authorized to prescribe. Nurses with certified practice are allowed to prescribe only those medications that are outlined in the decision support tools for their certified practice designation.
Giving a client-specific order: A nurse
gives a client-specific order when they issue an instruction or authorization, not a prescription, for another regulated health professional to carry out restricted or non-restricted activities for a client.
Giving a client-specific order may include giving instruction for a medication-related activity—compounding, dispensing, or administering, but not prescribing—to be acted on by another nurse, not a pharmacist. Nurses can only give client-specific orders for Schedule II medications and a very limited number of Schedule I medications. Nurses with certified practice are additionally allowed to give client-specific orders for Schedule I medications as outlined in the decision support tools for their certified practice designation. Only nurses with certified practice in opioid use disorder may give a client-specific order for Schedule IA medications, and these medications are only those as outlined in their BCCSU decision support tools.
Nurses only give client-specific orders when they meet the requirements for acting within autonomous scope of practice.
Dispensing: A nurse
dispenses when they prepare and give medication for a client to take later, taking steps to ensure the pharmaceutical and therapeutic suitability of the medication for its intended use, and taking steps to ensure its proper use. Nurses dispense with or without the involvement of a pharmacist. Nurses are allowed to dispense Schedule II medications and a limited number of Schedule I medications. Nurses with certified practice are allowed to additionally dispense Schedule I or Schedule IA medications as per the decision support tools for their certified practice designation.
The key difference between prescribing and giving a client-specific order or dispensing is that prescribing involves giving the client a prescription that must be filled by a pharmacist. Giving client-specific orders and dispensing do not involve prescribing or giving a prescription.
External resources