“…The methods and patient populations in existing studies evaluating the practice of nurses with prescriptive authority are diverse (Shum et al 2000, Latter & Courtenay 2004, While & Biggs 2004, Bradley et al 2005, Hooker & Cipher 2005, Ladd 2005, Cipher et al 2006, Scudder 2006, Latter et al 2007a, 2007b Researchers from the United Kingdom and the United States of America have examined several aspects of prescribing, including patterns, barriers and facilitators, safety, education requirements, impact, and patient perspectives and satisfaction (Birkholz & Viens 1999, Shum et al 2000, Latter & Courtenay 2004, Courtenay & Carey 2007, Latter et al 2007c. Given the complexities and costs associated with prescribing, trends should be monitored for quality improvement and providing continuing professional development opportunities for identified areas.…”