NR 508 Week 1: Discussion: Legal and Professional Issues in Prescribing
Describe NP practice in your state.
Tell the class what your state laws are related to nurse practitioner prescribing.
Include how many continuing education hours are required for your state.
Describe the importance of knowing the specific laws in your state pertaining to Nurse
Practitioners prescribing medications.
, ANSWER
Nurse practitioners are considered restricted in the State of Florida. They are able to make
diagnoses, prescribe medications, and order labs and necessary diagnostics all under the
supervision of a practicing physician. Nurse practitioners are seen in multiple settings including
primary care clinics, hospitals, and specialty clinics across the country. They are capable of
independent diagnosis and prescribing other states, but it ultimately depends on the legislature as
well as the progressiveness of the state.
Nurse practitioners must hold a registered nursing license and apply for a program. The program
must be accredited not only in their state, but should be accredited nationally in case he/she were
to move into another state. they must also complete a master's degree in order to practice.
When working in a group setting with other medical doctors, nurses and other ancillary staff. A
nurse practitioner “must enter into a supervisory protocol with at least one physician within the
physician group practice," according to the Florida Senate.gov (2018). This has benefits and
consequences. This maybe be extremely beneficial to a new graduate NP that is starting off in
her career. Having a safety net can be reassuring especially when diagnosing more challenging
patients in their practice. While later on this may also be a limiting factor, since nurse
practitioners were created to practice independently of a doctor due to shortages and
unwillingness to practice in a rural parts of the country. Nurse Practitioners may even find this
restrictive and somewhat what limiting of their capabilities and may even consider changing
their careers.
Describe NP practice in your state.
Tell the class what your state laws are related to nurse practitioner prescribing.
Include how many continuing education hours are required for your state.
Describe the importance of knowing the specific laws in your state pertaining to Nurse
Practitioners prescribing medications.
, ANSWER
Nurse practitioners are considered restricted in the State of Florida. They are able to make
diagnoses, prescribe medications, and order labs and necessary diagnostics all under the
supervision of a practicing physician. Nurse practitioners are seen in multiple settings including
primary care clinics, hospitals, and specialty clinics across the country. They are capable of
independent diagnosis and prescribing other states, but it ultimately depends on the legislature as
well as the progressiveness of the state.
Nurse practitioners must hold a registered nursing license and apply for a program. The program
must be accredited not only in their state, but should be accredited nationally in case he/she were
to move into another state. they must also complete a master's degree in order to practice.
When working in a group setting with other medical doctors, nurses and other ancillary staff. A
nurse practitioner “must enter into a supervisory protocol with at least one physician within the
physician group practice," according to the Florida Senate.gov (2018). This has benefits and
consequences. This maybe be extremely beneficial to a new graduate NP that is starting off in
her career. Having a safety net can be reassuring especially when diagnosing more challenging
patients in their practice. While later on this may also be a limiting factor, since nurse
practitioners were created to practice independently of a doctor due to shortages and
unwillingness to practice in a rural parts of the country. Nurse Practitioners may even find this
restrictive and somewhat what limiting of their capabilities and may even consider changing
their careers.
