We are soon to be nursing graduates of the 4 year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at York University. We have created this petition to promote a policy change focued on increasing nursing education of Pharmacology, so RNs can prescribe medication.
There is a lack of education in pharmacology for registered nurses (RNs) in Canada. The implementation of RNs prescribing medication has already begun in other parts of the world (Ireland, United Kingdom, etc.) and in some provinces in Canada. Our considered view is that the current nursing curriculum needs to change in order to include more content on medications, adverse effects, dosages, and drug interactions. There are many benefits to having RNs prescribe medication, that may be disregarded if the nurse has not received proper education first.
Why Should RNs Prescribe
Success in other parts of the world: RNs have been prescribing medication in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Netherlands that are resulting in relatively strong patient outcomes. How? There is a course that can be taken that includes theory, mentored practice and assignments to qualify as an independent prescriber.
We know you better: Nurses are with the patient and their family from the moment their compromised health is discovered all the way to the end of treatment or until the patient no longer requires care. As nurses we build a therapeutic relationship that provides us with individualized knowledge of each patient's needs.
Enhances self-efficacy: By giving nurses the extra responsibility of prescribing medications there is an opportunity for extreme growth in nursing practice. Self-efficacy of nurses is enhanced and we are able to have a larger impact in the patient's treatment plan.
Improving healthcare services: RNs prescribing medication would be considered especially advantageous is in rural areas (including Indigenous populations), community, public health, penitentiary, and long term care settings. These settings are all known for having limited access to healthcare providers capable of prescribing medications. Wait times for healthcare in Canada are among the highest because of our universal healthcare system. The average wait time is 21.2 weeks following the referral from a general practitioner until treatment is received (Fraser Institute, 2017). By having RNs able to prescribe medication these wait times could drastically be reduced.
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