Prescribers, strokes, NSAIDS

Community NPs lack support

JAN (2014) doi: 10.1111/jan.12392

Community nurse prescribers in England receive less support and supervision than other nurse independent prescribers (NIPs), a new survey has shown. Community NIPs seem to be more likely to believe that their continuing professional development (CPD) was inadequate to maintain patient safety.

Overall, 77% of the 976 NIPs surveyed, who worked in a variety of settings, reported support or supervision from an experienced prescriber, while 76% had access to a network of nonmedical prescribers. Overall, 73% of NIPs said their regular appraisal included their prescribing role. However, only 69% of district nurses, community matrons and health visitors said they could access a network of nonmedical prescribers, while just 55% could access an experienced prescriber. Only 52% of community NIPs said they had a regular appraisal.