I remember learning as a nursing student, that if a physician makes an error in prescribing a medication (name, dosage… handwriting) and a nurse administers that medication to the patient, the nurse is held responsible for the error. The math just did not add up.  Physicians have to go to school for at least six years before they can prescribe meds and their total education is closer to twelve.

My BSN program, when all was said in done came out to about four and a half years (with required summer courses). A BSN program typically includes a massive amount of pharmacology and medication training as reflected by all the medication questions on the NCLEX licensing exam. But, I still was left wondering how nurses are supposed to be able to spot a medication error unless we know everything that the prescribing doctor knows about meds.

I soon learned, once on the floor, that the best ways to avoid a problem are to have a current drug reference on hand and to always, always, always ask the doctor if you have any questions or doubts.  As a night shift nurse this took a bit of courage to wake up a physician at three in the morning – but it sure beats being named in a malpractice lawsuit and even more importantly risking a human life.

As reported by the May 5th Oregonian, there is apparently some controversy brewing in Oregon, where the state legislature is debating whether psychologists, who lack the same amount of training as physicians, should be allowed to prescribe “the most dangerous and lethal pharmaceuticals” to patients. The bill does include certain restrictions regarding psychotropic medications (ex. antidepressants, anti-psychotics).

I should note that physicians are not the only one authorized to prescribe medications. This privilege also is extended to doctors of osteopathy, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Psychologists in America, at this point, do not have universal prescribing privileges – only some are given permission to dole out the meds.

In the meantime, Oregon House Bill 2702, according to recent reporting, is currently stalled in the Oregon house pending review of a medical task force later this year.