§ 17-87-310 - Prescriptive authority.
17-87-310. Prescriptive authority.
(a) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing may grant a certificate of prescriptive authority to an advanced practice nurse who:
(1) Submits proof of successful completion of a board-approved advanced pharmacology course that shall include preceptorial experience in the prescription of drugs, medicines, and therapeutic devices; and
(2) Has a collaborative practice agreement with a physician who is licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, 17-95-201 et seq., 17-95-301 et seq., and 17-95-401 et seq., and who has a practice comparable in scope, specialty, or expertise to that of the advanced practice nurse on file with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
(b) (1) An advanced practice nurse with a certificate of prescriptive authority may receive and prescribe drugs, medicines, or therapeutic devices appropriate to the advanced practice nurse's area of practice in accordance with rules established by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
(2) An advanced practice nurse's prescriptive authority shall only extend to drugs listed in Schedules III -- V.
(c) A collaborative practice agreement shall include, but not be limited to, provisions addressing:
(1) The availability of the collaborating physician for consultation or referral, or both;
(2) Methods of management of the collaborative practice, which shall include protocols for prescriptive authority;
(3) Coverage of the health care needs of a patient in the emergency absence of the advanced practice nurse or physician; and
(4) Quality assurance.
(d) If a collaborative practice results in complaints of violations of the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, 17-95-201 et seq., 17-95-301 et seq., and 17-95-401 et seq., the Arkansas State Medical Board may review the role of the physician in the collaborative practice to determine if the physician is unable to manage his or her responsibilities under the agreement without an adverse effect on the quality of care of the patient.
(e) If a collaborative practice results in complaints of violations of this chapter, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing may review the role of the advanced practice nurse in the collaborative practice to determine if the nurse is unable to manage his or her responsibilities under the agreement without an adverse effect on the quality of care of the patient.