RN Prescribing Education

The Registered Nurse Prescribing Education Program: Safe and Ethical Practice course is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) who wish to expand their scope of practice to include diagnosing and prescribing medications within the legislated RN scope of practice, as outlined by the CNO. Approved by the CNO, the program prepares learners to safely and ethically prescribe medications within the legislated RN scope of practice.

To be registered for the course, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. If you currently do not have a student ID number, please complete and submit this form: Georgian College Student Number Application.

2. Registered Nurse (RN), in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)

3. Valid CNO number
4. If interested, please reach out to HealthConEd@GeorgianCollege.ca. Please include the course code in the subject line of your email.

Course Content

1. RN prescribing scope of practice, legislation & regulatory requirements 
2. Entry-to-practice competencies for RN prescribing
3. Professional responsibilities and accountability of RN prescribers
4. Safe prescribing practices, including an RN prescribing framework
5. Clinical assessment and diagnosis for the purpose of prescribing
6. Making a diagnosis for the purpose of prescribing an approved medication.
7. Pharmacotherapy and therapeutic interventions
8. Documentation specific to prescribing
9. Ethical issues associated with prescribing
10. Client education and health literacy

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Critically examine the legislated scope of practice for Registered Nurses authorized to prescribe.
2. Assess the professional accountability associated with communicating a diagnosis and prescribing approved medications.
3. Apply accurate and timely documentation standards for client care.
4. Analyze ethical dilemmas and propose appropriate resolutions within the RN prescribing role.
5. Integrate clinical judgment to identify pharmacological options that best meet client needs.
6. Apply clinical reasoning when prescribing, dispensing, and administering medications while considering safety and therapeutic outcomes.
7. Integrate health literacy principles when educating clients about prescribed medications, including indications, side effects, contraindications, and precautions.

Course description

To support the safe and ethical practice for Registered Nurse Prescribers, this 65-hour, online, self-directed course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and clinical judgement required to safely and effectively meet the Registered Nurse Prescriber Entry-to-Practice Competencies identified by the CNO. Through evidence-informed, case-based and virtual simulation learning, students develop competencies in clinical assessment, diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, documentation, professional accountability, and client education. The curriculum covers authorized prescribing areas including immunization and anaphylaxis, topical wound care, contraceptives, travel health, smoking cessation, and over-the-counter medications, while teaching RN's a framework for safe, ethical and client centered prescribing practices

For more information, please contact Continuing Education