Practice Policy Appropriate health care continues to be one of the major challenges throughout the nation. Financial and educational hindrances can produce negative health effects on individuals and communities. Advanced practice nurses can implement their evidence based knowledge and skills within any environment to increase the knowledge and health of the surrounding populations. However, nurse practitioners must comply with the protocols and laws mandated by the board of nursing. This paper will discuss the setting in which nurse practitioners practice in, along with the laws and limitations that they must adhere to at all times. Setting Lucedale is a rural, underserved community in Mississippi that carries an increased prevalence …show more content…
The APRN must notify the board immediately if any changes are made between the collaboration relationship with the physician. If notifications are not made to the board of changes then the APRN cannot practice and an APRN in any health care setting. The nurse practitioner does not have the authority to prescribe or distribute any scheduled controlled drug until the appropriate guide lines are followed and obtained by the board of nursing. ("Nursing Practice Law," 2010) In order to prescribe controlled substances and medications, nurse practitioners must successfully complete a board approved educational course. Upon completion of the program, the nurse practitioner must apply for a controlled substance prescription authority. Nurse practitioners may the prescribe schedules II-IV after obtaining the prescription authority. The advanced practice nurse must always comply with the board’s rules concerning the prescription, distribution, labeling, and record maintenance of all medications and controlled substances. Violation of the mandated guidelines can result in grounds for disciplinary action. ("Nursing Practice Law,"