Registered Nurse Prescribing Education: Safe and Ethical Practice

The new Registered Nurse Prescribing Education Program: Safe and Ethical Practice at Georgian College is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario . RNs who successfully complete Council approved RN-prescribing education will have information added to their registrant profile on CNO’s public Register, Find a Nurse, to communicate their authority to prescribe medications and communicate diagnoses for the purpose of prescribing specified in regulation.

Course Description

To support the safe and ethical practice for Registered Nurse Prescribers, this online, self-directed course provides students with the knowledge, skills and clinical judgement required to safely and effectively meet the Registered Nurse Prescribing Entry to Practice Competencies identified by the College of Nurses of Ontario. The course consists of four primary subject areas: Introduction of Registered Nurse (RN) Prescribing – Professional Responsibilities and Accountabilities; Professional and ethical responsibilities of the Registered Nurse (RN) prescriber; RN Prescribing: Assessment and diagnosis; and Pharmacotherapy and other therapeutic interventions in client care. This course addresses theoretical knowledge, application of knowledge to practice scenarios and evaluation of knowledge (both summative and formative). A clinical component, within the RN’s current work environment andsupervised by a prescriber (physician or nurse practitioner), provides students with the opportunity to apply knowledge in practice-based scenarios/environments. A minimum of 20 client interactions resulting in a prescription, assessed and validated by the prescribing mentor, is required for successful course completion.

To be registered for the course, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Registered Nurse (RN), in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO number required)

2. Current employment in a health care setting where RN prescribing is sanctioned by the employer

3. Evidence of secured clinical placement and supervising prescriber ( Nurse Practitioner or Physicia)n within current workplace.

Course Content

1. Scope of practice

2. Entry to practice competencies for Registered Nurse (RN) Prescribing

3. Safe prescribing practices

4. Introduction to the RN Prescriber framework

5. Documentation

6. Communicating a diagnosis

7. Ethical and client centered care
8. Conducting a clinical assessment

9. Legislation and regulation

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. explain the legislated scope of practice for Registered Nurses (RN) who are authorized to prescribe;

2. describe professional accountability when communicating a diagnosis and prescribing medications;

3. explain the purpose and importance of accurate and timely documentation of client care in the client record and in any othercommunications required to provide care;

4. discuss the purpose and importance of accurate and timely documentation of client care in the client record and in any othercommunications required to provide care;

5. recognize ethical dilemmas and resolve concerns using appropriate competencies within the role and scope of an RN whoprescribes;

6. apply clinical judgement to identify pharmacological options (within scope of practice) that will best meet client needs;

7. describe safety considerations when dispensing and administering prescribed medications;

8. provide client education regarding the rationale for the prescribed medication, potential side effects, contraindications andprecautions.

Course description

To support the safe and ethical practice for Registered Nurse Prescribers, this online, self-directed course provides students with the knowledge, skills and clinical judgement required to safely and effectively meet the Registered Nurse Prescribing Entry to Practice Competencies identified by the College of Nurses of Ontario. The course consists of four primary subject areas: Introduction of Registered Nurse (RN) Prescribing - Professional Responsibilities and Accountabilities; Professional and ethical responsibilities of the Registered Nurse (RN) prescriber; RN Prescribing: Assessment and diagnosis; and Pharmacotherapy and other therapeutic interventions in client care. This course addresses theoretical knowledge, application of knowledge to practice scenarios and evaluation of knowledge (both summative and formative). A clinical component, within the RN’s current work environment and supervised by a prescriber (physician or nurse practitioner), provides students with the opportunity to apply knowledge in practice-based scenarios/environments. A minimum of 20 client interactions resulting in a prescription, assessed and validated by the prescribing mentor, is required for successful course completion. <

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Please note that at the time of registration, students must provide the following supporting information: 1) confirmation of good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), 2) valid CNO number, 3) evidence of employment in a RN prescribing sanctioned environment (letter for upload), and 4) commitment from supervising prescriber within current workplace (must include name, title and contact information – address, email and phone number). Students who register without providing this documentation will be removed from the waitlist without notice. Upon acceptance into the program, students will receive a confirmation of enrollment with instructions on how to access the course.

This course was designed and developed by Nurse Practitioners who have extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of prescribing, Registered Nurse scope of practice and the College of Nurses of Ontario standards and guidelines. Georgian College is proud to partner with PharmAcheive and NurseAchieve in the development of this education program.

For more information, please contact Continuing Education