The Necessity of Nursing Prescription from the Perspectives of Nursing Policymakers

Introduction: Presently, in many countries, certain groups of nurses are allowed to prescribe medicine. Despite the increasing attention of the world to nursing prescription and emphasis of the World Health Organization (WHO) on its implementation in regional countries, a review of literature indicated that there is no evidence of nursing prescription in Iran. Thus, this study aimed to assess the necessity of nursing prescription from the perspective of the Iranian nursing policymakers. Method: This descriptive qualitative study was performed through interviews with 14 nursing policymakers. The participants were selected through purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Interviews were conducted after coordination with participants and in their workplace. All interviews were recorded using a digital voice recorder. Interviews were simultaneously transcribed verbatim and analyzed using conventional content analysis through inductive approach. The coding was performed using MAXQDA software. To achieve the accuracy and reliability of the data, the Lincoln and Guba authenticity criteria were used. Results: Analysis of the recorded interviews resulted in the extraction of the 3 main categories of "the right to health and individual’s requirements", "the current situation of the clinical setting", and "nursing prescription outcomes". Conclusion: The views and perspectives of nursing policymakers indicated that due individuals’ right to health and need for health care services, and also the positive outcomes that may result from nursing prescription, the necessity of its implementation is felt. However, there are challenges to its implementation that require the relevant authorities' efforts to resolve them.

The Necessity of Nursing Prescription from the Perspectives of Nursing Policymakers Keywords:

Drug prescription , Nursing policymakers , qualitative research