P.E.I. moves to let registered nurses prescribe, dispense medications

The government of Prince Edward Island is paving the way for registered nursesto prescribe medication to patients.

In a news release, the province says it has introduced regulatory changes that will allow registered nurses, or RNs, with advanced certification to prescribe, dispense and administer certain drugs.

The new rules also allow RN diabetes educators to prescribe new doses of diabetes medications, as approved by Health Canada.

"It's all about giving Islanders better access to health care," Health and Wellness Minister Mark McLane is quoted as saying inthe news release.

"These regulatory changes will help us deliver the highest standard of care and represent a modern approach to health care in P.E.I."

The province is also officially recognizing registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) as a distinct profession.

RPNs are trained to care for people with mental and developmental health needs. They will work in Island hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, patient medical homesand community mental health centres.

"Nurses bring immense expertise and knowledge to health-care settings across the province, benefiting Islanders every day," Marion Dowling, the province's chief nursing and professional practice officer, said in the news release.

"These new regulatory changes allow nurses to do more to care for patients by expanding their scope to include prescribing while also bringing more health-care professionals into the province as we introduce RPNs to our mental health teams."

The governmentprovided a grant to the College of Registered Nurses and Midwives of P.E.I. earlier this year to help with the education and training needed for theexpanded roles.

The province did not say when these regulatory changes would come into effect.