Are You Ready To Thrive
If the nurse practitioner will be prescribing controlled substances, an addendum to the collaborative practice agreement specifically addressing this ability to prescribe is required. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing provides the collaborative practice agreement to be signed by the NP and MD.
Louisianas Nurse Practitioner Prescribing Laws
Nurse practitioners in Louisiana have the , including controlled substances, as long as the this is outlined in the parameters of the collaborative practice agreement. For every encounter where the NP prescribes a medication, a history and physical exam must be performed and documented as well as a diagnosis made. The plan for treatment must be discussed with the patient as well as a plan for follow-up care. Prescriptions written by nurse practitioners in Louisiana must state not only the NPs name, but also the name, address and phone number of the collaborating physician.
Each year, to maintain the ability to prescribe, nurse practitioners working in Louisiana must obtain six continuing education hours in pharmacology within their specialty of practice.
Other Scope of Practice Laws in Louisiana
Louisiana State Law implies, but does not outright state, that nurse practitioners can be officially listed as primary care providers. NPs are allowed to sign handicap parking permits and workers comp claims but are not permitted to sign death certificates.
Can A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Prescribe Adderall
Yes, nurse practitioners can prescribe medications in all 50 states. This includes the power to prescribe antibiotics, narcotics, and other schedule II drugs such as Adderall. Furthermore, in some states, NPs must enroll in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and/or Controlled Substances Reporting System.
Professionals Who Treat Adhd
ADHD can be treated by any doctor who has continued their education on ADHD and mental health. However, only certain medical professionals can prescribe medication. These include physicians and nurse practitioners . Physician assistants can also prescribe if they are working under the supervision of a physician.
In addition to these professionals, there are others you can go to for ADHD treatment. While they are notqualified to prescribe medications, these experts can provide other forms of treatment:
Recommended Reading: Accelerated Bsn Nursing Programs In Florida
The Future For Nps In Mental Health
Having NPs that can offer mental health services and testing is crucial to meet surging demand and ease the burden within the healthcare system. While some of the challenges they face, like insurance coverage, which is already improving, will take some time to overcome, we can already see that the NPs role is critical in getting patients in the door, properly diagnosed and treated.
Can A Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Prescribe Medication

An NP holds either a masters degree or a doctorate in nursing, and can provide much of the same care doctors dotheyre able to see patients, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medication. A psychiatric nurse practitioner has had additional continuing education and training in psychiatric/mental health nursing.
Also Check: Accelerated Masters In Nursing Programs
Diagnostic Criteria For Adhd
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition says that a person must show persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, or both to qualify for an ADHD diagnosis.
Children under 16 years of age must have six or more of the following symptoms, while adults over 17 years of age must have five or more. The symptoms must have been present for at least 6 months and be inappropriate for the persons development level.
Symptoms of inattention
- not paying close attention to details and making careless mistakes
- having difficulty paying attention to activities
- struggling to listen when someone talks to the person
- frequently experiencing distraction and not following instructions or completing tasks
- struggling to organize tasks and activities
- avoiding and disliking challenging mental tasks
- losing the things the person needs for daily tasks, such as school materials, wallets, or keys
- being easy to distract
How Is Adhd Diagnosed
While only those who have been tested for ADHD by a specialist can be given an ADHD diagnosis, you can start by carrying out a self-assessment test. If your self-assessment indicates that there are symptoms of ADHD, you might want to consider visiting a professional for a clinical diagnosis.
Self-assessment resources:
- Hong Kong Association for AD/HD preliminary assessment for children here.
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association online assessment here.
Delayed intervention in children, especially when they are over the age of ten, can make the process tricky because the adverse effects of ADHD may have begun to take full effect. Some of these effects include anxiety and low self-esteem. The most common criteria to look for in both adults and children to determine whether they should be evaluated for ADHD are:
- Inability to focus on things that are not of interest
- Scant attention to detail
- Easily irritable
- Show signs of hyperactivity
A standard evaluation process involves referencing a specific ADHD symptom checklist. This checklist includes questions about behavioural patterns, past and present information from both the patient and their family.
In the case of children, a paediatrician, child psychiatrist or educational psychologist will assess for ADHD. These practitioners will have earned a psychology or a medical degree and have received training in ADHD.
Don’t Miss: Online Nursing Schools In Michigan
What Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe In Australia
Nurse practitioners in Australia can prescribe medications as private prescriptions according to their state prescribing accreditation.
The medications which can be prescribed varies between the states and territories of Australia.
You can find the full list of medicines that nurse practitioners can prescribe in Australia here for a mobile device, and here for desktop devices.
Can A General Practitioner Diagnose Adhd In Adults
Yes. ADHD can be diagnosed by any licensed physician, including a family doctor, internist, or specialist, such as a neurologist or psychiatrist.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also diagnose ADHD and, like physicians, can prescribe medication to treat the condition.
Licensed mental health professionals such as psychologists and therapists can also diagnose adult ADHD, but theyll refer you to a physician, nurse practitioner , or physician assistant for medication.
An ADHD diagnosis, in childhood or adulthood, isnt as simple as having an MRI or a blood test. Instead, your diagnosis will be based on a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and medical history.
To receive an ADHD diagnosis, you must have at least five different symptoms. They must affect you in at least two different settings .
Your healthcare professional might use a behavior rating scale to find out how often you experience symptoms of adult ADHD in your daily life. Some common scales include:
- Adult ADHD Clinical Diagnostic Scale
- ADHD Lifespan Functioning Interview
- World Health Organization ADHD Self-Report Scale
Once youve received a diagnosis, your healthcare professional may use like these from time to time to track how well your treatments are working.
Don’t Miss: Associates In Health Science To Nursing
Quick Answer: Can A Nurse Practioner Prescribe Mental Health Meds
An NP holds either a masters degree or a doctorate in nursing, and can provide much of the same care doctors dotheyre able to see patients, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medication. A psychiatric nurse practitioner has had additional continuing education and training in psychiatric/mental health nursing.
How To Find A Professional To Diagnose Adhd
The process of diagnosing ADHD often begins with a persons doctor. If they are not able to perform a formal diagnosis, they can still discuss any concerns and refer the person to a qualified specialist.
If the doctor is a pediatrician or family physician, they may be able to diagnose the condition. However, they may also refer the person to another clinician, such as a psychiatrist, for further evaluation.
In addition to referrals, a person may be able to find a specialist through their insurance provider or a therapist directory.
A person may need an ADHD evaluation if they exhibit certain symptoms.
Healthcare professionals diagnose ADHD in one of three ways: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, or combined.
You May Like: Indiana Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
The Master Level Counselor
A Master level counselor has a masters degree in either psychology or counseling. They may be able to do an initial assessment if they have the appropriate training.
Advantages:
- Is able to provide counseling, behavior management, and problem solving
- Less expensive than psychiatric care
Disadvantages:
- May have trouble with a differential diagnosis
- Will need to refer patient to a doctor or other professional
- Cannot prescribe medication
How To Get Adhd Tested In Hong Kong

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common condition found in children that often goes untreated. According to a 2018 study, ADHD affects 6.4% of children and adolescents in Hong Kong. This condition can have long-term effects on children and adolescents and it can become more difficult to manage as they get older.
Although ADHD typically appears in early childhood, the effects of the condition can last a long time and it affects many adults too. The 2018 study estimated that ADHD was present in 2.5% of adults in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, there is a healthy awareness of ADHD with ample support between the public and private healthcare sectors. If you are concerned for yourself or your child and would like to get tested for ADHD, heres a guide on the testing process in Hong Kong.
Don’t Miss: Nursing Home Malpractice Attorney Boston
What Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe In United Kingdom
Can a nurse practitioner prescribe medication in the UK?
Nurse practitioners in the UK are allowed to write prescriptions to any Schedule 2, 3, 4, or 5 controlled medications and all the non-controlled medications.
Exceptions are diamorphine, dipipanone, or cocaine for the treatment of any kind of addiction.
Now you should have a clear answer on whether can a nurse practitioner prescribe medication in your state, region or country.
If you would like to learn some more about nurse practitioners and nursing in general, check out these articles of ours:
Affiliate Disclosure
All links on this site may be affiliate links and should be considered as such. Normal Nurse Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. See our Privacy Policy for more information.
Terms of Use
Please note that the content on this site is for entertainment purposes and does not constitute medical advice. We strive for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for the current validity of data as best practices are ever-changing. By consuming any of our content, you agree that you will hold us harmless for actions you made as the result of the data.
Privacy Policy
What Does A Nurse Practitioner Do
Acute care nurse practitioners work in hospitals or acute care clinics. They see patients when they are sick, are admitted to the hospital, have injuries, or have surgical procedures. They treat patients from admission to discharge.
They can order diagnostic and laboratory tests to help diagnose diseases. They may do procedures such as intubation, debriding wounds, and putting casts on injuries. They work as part of a health care team to develop a treatment plan and follow-up care.
Over 75 percent of nurse practitioners are primary care nurse practitioners, also known as family nurse practitioners . They can diagnose and treat short-term and long-term problems in doctorâs offices and other outpatient settings. FNPs can work alone in 20 states and under the supervision of a physician in the others.
Nurse practitioners may also specialize in specific practice areas such as orthopedics, pediatrics, oncology, gerontology, and psychiatry. They diagnose and treat diseases related to these specialties and serve as part of a patientâs health care team.
Also Check: Nursing Schools In Clearwater Florida
Your Child’s Health Care Team
If your child has ADHD symptoms, contact their doctor or pediatrician as a first step in diagnosing the condition. They should already have a strong relationship with your family and know the medical history.
Other members of your child’s care team may be:
- Psychologists. These are specialists who are trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions like ADHD. They can give expert assessments and offer therapy. But they canât prescribe medication.
- Psychiatrists. They can also diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Theyâre medical doctors, so they can prescribe drugs.
- Nurse practitioners or physician assistants . They work under a doctorâs supervision and can diagnose and treat ADHD. They can also write prescriptions.
- Nurses. These are often the professionals who will answer questions about your childâs care and help you coordinate with the care team.
- Social workers. They can assist people with ADHD and their loved ones through the entire journey, from referral through diagnosis and treatment. They offer education, support, and tips for living with it.
- Occupational or speech therapists. These specialists help with specific areas that are affected by ADHD, such as work skills or language problems.
- Other therapists such as counselors and family therapists. They can work with people who have ADHD, their families, and school staff members on responding to problems, improving behavior, and building life skills.
Can An Np Prescribe Adderall
Most NPs can prescribe Adderall. Adderall falls into the Schedule II category although the drug is legal, people can become dependent. In most states, nurse practitioners possess the authority to prescribe Schedule II drugs. However, Georgia, Oklahoma, and West Virginia restrict NPs from doing so. Arkansas requires NPs to enter a collaborative agreement with a physician to prescribe these drugs, and Missouri only allows NPs to prescribe after 1,000 hours of postgraduate experience.
Also Check: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner School Years
What Is Add And Adhd
All children have trouble sitting still and listening to instructions occasionally, but when these behaviors are frequent, your child may have ADD/ADHD, which is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Formerly called attention deficit disorder , the condition is now referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . Doctors Kevin White and Stacey Lowen and nurse practitioners Julie Schreiner and Jennifer Simonds of Surfside Pediatrics share ADD/ADHD information with Ventura parents.
How do I know if it’s ADD/ADHD?
Although ADD/ADHD must be diagnosed by a health care practitioner, the illness has a few hallmarks. The symptoms usually start when your child is young and typically appear before the age of seven. Doctors may make an ADD/ADHD diagnosis if symptoms have lasted longer than six months and affect at least two aspects of his or her life, such as home and school.
What are the symptoms?
Although the disease is now referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, not all children are hyperactive. Instead, your child may have trouble paying attention in class. Symptoms vary from child to child but can include:
- Boredom with activities that aren’t enjoyable
- Failing to complete homework or turn it in if it is completed
- Poor impulse control
- Trouble staying seated while at school
- Frequent daydreaming
- Talking too much at school
How can I help my child?
How Are Nurse Practitioners Different From Doctors
Nurse practitioners and doctors carry out very similar roles, but differences between an NP and a doctor do exist.
The primary difference between these two roles involves the educational pathways and training required. Doctors must complete a bachelor’s degree and a doctor of medicine degree. Nurse practitioners also graduate with bachelor’s degrees, but instead, they earn a master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice . In addition, doctors participate in a residency while NPs complete a practicum. Residency is longer than NP practicums â several years for doctors compared to 1-2 years for NPs.
Overall, it takes about 10 years to become a fully practicing and licensed doctor. Nurse practitioners can earn their licensure after about six years, although many take longer by gaining experience in their registered nurse career before applying to DNP or MSN programs.
Once they begin carrying out their professional duties, doctors also have more autonomy in their jobs than NPs. They do not need to enter into collaborative or supervisory agreements with other healthcare professionals to prescribe medication, for example. In some states, NPs have full-practice autonomy as well, but several states do place restrictions on nurse practitioners.
Recommended Reading: Direct Hire Nurses To Usa
Can A Nurse Practitioner Prescribe Medication Faq
At this point, you should have a pretty good view of whether can a nurse practitioner prescribe medication or not.
But how about the situation in Australia, Canada, or the United Kingdom?
Or can nurse-midwives write prescriptions?
Or where can nurse practitioners prescribe in general?
Next, youll get the answers to these questions.
What Is The Difference Between A Psychiatric Nurse And A Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric nurses are not medical doctors but they provide a lot of diagnostic and treatment services to their patients, rather that psychiatry does on this aspect.A psychiatric nurse has significant es of medical establishment as additional experts to help with mental health.A set of credentials and training.
Read Also: Online Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs In Texas
What Medications Can Nurse Practitioners Not Prescribe
When it comes to which medications NPs cannot prescribe, the specifics vary from state to state. For example, in Florida, NPs can only prescribe a seven-day course of Schedule II drugs and cannot prescribe any psychotropic medication to patients under 18 unless they are a certified psychiatric mental health NP.
However, no matter where nurse practitioners live, the federal government bars them from prescribing Schedule I drugs. These come with no medical use and a high potential for misuse, according to the Controlled Substance Act.
How Drugs Are Classified In The United States
The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 classifies drugs into five schedules or categories. The act regulates the creation and manufacturing of various drugs, and it sets the boundaries of who can prescribe certain types of drugs.
The act divides drugs into different schedules based on their potential for harmful use, safety and addiction potential, and their medical applications in the U.S.
Schedule | ||
---|---|---|
Drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for harmful use | Heroin, LSD, marijuana | |
II | Drugs with a high potential for harmful use, potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence these drugs are also considered dangerous | Methadone, fentanyl, amphetamine |
III | Drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence Schedule III drugs’ potential for harmful use is less than Schedule I and II drugs but more than Schedule IV | Vicodin, Tylenol with codeine, ketamine |
IV | Drugs with a low potential for harmful use and low risk of dependence | Alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam |
V | Drugs with a lower potential for harmful use than Schedule IV drugs and consist of limited quantities of certain narcotics Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes | Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica |
Schedule I drugs fall into the only category that NPs cannot prescribe. That’s because the federal government has ruled that they have no accepted medical use in the U.S.
Don’t Miss: Post Master’s Certificate Nurse Practitioner