In Florida, what is required for a nurse to have the authority to prescribe medications?

In Florida, a nurse must complete a specific advanced practice program and obtain the appropriate certification to have the authority to prescribe medications. This requirement ensures that the nurse has the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to safely manage and prescribe medication as part of patient care.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), such as nurse practitioners, must meet educational and certification standards that include graduate-level training in advanced nursing and the successful completion of a national certification exam in their specialty area. This rigorous preparation is designed to equip nurses with the competencies necessary to assess patient needs, interpret diagnostic tests, and determine appropriate treatment plans including the prescription of medications.

A general nursing license alone does not provide the authority to prescribe; it signifies basic nursing competency. Merely having permission from a supervising physician is insufficient since the state laws outline specific educational and certification criteria that must be fulfilled. Additionally, a high school diploma is not relevant in the context of prescribing authority, as advanced education beyond basic nursing is mandatory for this responsibility.