Nurse prescribing in primary care in Spain: legal framework, historical characteristics and relationship to perceived professional identity

Abstract

The response rate was 69.6% (87 nurses). Frequent nurse-prescribed medications were vaccinations (63.1%), topical antiseptics (60.7%) and antipyretics(44.8%); health-care supplies included supplies for diabetes (51.8%), wound care dressings (44.2%) and incontinence (26.7%). Respondents indicated that nurse prescription positively contributes to the profession and to its development.Conclusion Nurse prescribing exists in primary care in Spain, and formal legalization is in progress but awaits a consensus formulary. Nurses indicated that full legalization would increase professional autonomy and contribute positively to the profession, as an example of how policy can have an impact on practice.Implications for nursing management Spain’s experience with inconclusive shifts in the legal status of nurse prescribing may contribute to the discussion in countries where this professional practice is not yet established.

The structure of the perceived professional identity of Japanese public health nurses

“…However, since we did not identify the participants' traits, we could not consider this. Finally, in Spain, legalization of nurse prescribing gives nurses strengthened professional identities (Romero‐Collado, Homs‐Romero, Zabaleta‐del‐Olmo, & Juvinya‐Canal, ). Therefore, in the future, the identity will change according to the activity expansion of PHNs.…”

Nurse prescribing in Spain: The law and the curriculum

“…), nurse prescribing has evolved from not being a legal issue to implicit legality, explicit illegality, and finally legality pending implementation of a program to accredit nurses to prescribe a formulary of medications and healthcare products/supplies. This was agreed by the Ministry of Health and the lead professional organizations of doctors and of nurses (Romero‐Collado et al, ) .…”

“…At the end of 2013, a royal decree of the Spanish Government (Real Decreto 870/2013) authorized Internet sales of healthcare products, supplies, and non‐prescription medications (Romero‐Collado et al, ). No healthcare professional, including pharmacists, necessarily intervenes to help the individual decide what to purchase.…”

“…In many parts of the world, the nursing profession is experiencing an expansion of competencies, among them, nurse prescribing (Kroezen et al, ). In some countries, including Spain, nurses have a history of prescribing certain medications and healthcare products as part of daily practice (Romero‐Collado et al, ). Increased responsibility requires legislative guidance that is aligned with the realities of clinical practice, in order to protect nurses, avoid conflicts with other health professionals, and provide a legitimate sense of security for patients and healthcare professionals alike.…”

Nurses’ Opinion on the Amendment to the Nurses and Midwives Act as of January 1, 2016

“…Czas pokazał jednak pozytywny skutek wprowadzonych zmian. Personel pielęgniarski wykazał się dużym profesjonalizmem, co odzwierciedliło się w satysfakcji pacjentów [7].…”