The Ministry of Health on Oct. 7, 2022,
posted proposed amendments to the nursing regulations under the Health Professions Act, including the Nurses (Registered) and Nurse Practitioners Regulation and the
Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation.
These amendments propose a new area of
certified practice that would allow RNs and RPNs to prescribe, compound, dispense, and administer Schedule I and IA drugs to treat opioid use disorder, if they meet certain conditions, including completing a certification program established, required or approved under the BCCNM bylaws, and standards, limits and conditions set by the BCCNM board.
Note that the draft
Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Regulation only includes certified practice for the treatment of opioid use disorder. No other certified practice areas are contemplated in the RPN draft regulations.
RNs and RPNs who meet specific conditions are currently allowed to prescribe to tread opioid use disorder under the
provincial Public Health Order
Registered Nurse and Registered Psychiatric Nurse Public Health Pharmacotherapy.
The proposed amendments to the nursing regulations, once in force, will allow BCCNM to transition current
RN and RPN prescribing for Opioid Use Disorder into this new area of certified practice. There are a number of activities that must be completed before this transition can occur, including revisions to BCCNM's bylaws and standards of practice.
Timelines
BCCNM is beginning our policy work to support these changes. We will provide regular updates on our progress over the coming months.
Questions?
Email
practice@bccnm.ca