Nurse practitioners giving anti biotics?
 

4 years ago they changed the rules to allow some nurses become nursing practitoners.

this is to ease the strain on doctors?

is this a good idea or is there some risk involved as theyre still not doctors and thus not as qualified to prescribe anti biotics.

I have no problem with our NP prescribing me anti-biotics.
She is fully qualified to do so.

what anti biotics though , it seems there is a line between what they can and cant prescribe as their knowledge is several years less of study than a doctor? if its life or death situation wouldn't you rather see a doctor?
ps why do you assume the nurse is a she?

My sis is a NP, and has almost 30ys experience in nursing as well a masters, extensive minor illness, minor injury and specialist ophthalmological qualifications. They don't just let anyone dish medication out like smarties.

It was always just doctors who prescribed them, so why is this changed and how do we know the NP prognosis is as thorough as the doctor who has studied for longer?

NP's can prescribe but as far as I know they can't diagnose.

I don't have a problem with this. I can't understand why anyone would.

This.

That's a pretty unintelligent answer, no offence.

They do both , this started 4 years ago. Seems a pretty ropey middle ground. What happens if something goes wrong? where the doctor has that much more knowledge of the patients history and the best medication available to the patient?

I would imagine the NP has as much access to patient's notes as the Doctor as they are all computerised. In fact, at my practive the NP has probably more knowledge as she has been there for years and we seem to have a string of locum doctors and I have never seen the same Doctor twice. I would hope if there was any concern the patient would be referred to the Doctor anyway and so for things like anti-biotics etc I am more than happy to have them prescribed by the NP>

There you go.

http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.u...titioners.aspx

I don't think the nurses in my GP practice can prescribe.. You have to see a doctor.

I think antibiotics are prescribed way too easily nowadays.. I won't take them unless I feel like I may die without them, and my children have never taken them once.

they do in mine. the whole thing is meant to ease the pressure on the doctors. I think its wrong. The doctors seem to be doing less and less for more and more. This will continue as they lay claim to control the practices. Its a crazy situation.

cheers for that link...:wavey: It doesn't actually mention anti biotics there , but they do prescribe them in some surgeries to save doctors seeing patients....pretty ropey territory

If it is 100% obvious, say patient has a temperature with enlarged very obviously infected tonsils maybe?

I am not assuming she is a she...I know she is a she.:joker:
I have known HER for years.

I am quite happy to see my NP if I have an infection.
If it is something more serious the I will see the doctor, or my consultant:hugesmile:

Ok I got you know I didn't realise you were specifically talking about 1 individual nurse. fair point.

Alot antibiotics are dished out for throat, chest/urinary infections which are pretty easy to diagnose, I don't think you need to be Einstein to take a temp or do a urine test or check out someones tonsils.

no but up until 4 years ago of austerity cutbacks you did need to be a doctor....heaven help anyone who is wrongly prescribed