New standard to enable registered nurse prescribing

News

30 May 2025

Key points

An advance copy of the Registration standard: Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines - Designated Registered Nurse Prescriber has been published
The standard will come into effect in late 2025, giving stakeholders time to prepare for this transformative change
A fact sheet and guidelines are available on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website to support the transition

RNs poised to prescribe in major leap for healthcare access and delivery

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has released an advance copy of the new Registration Standard: Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines – Designated Registered Nurse Prescriber, now available on its website.

This standard outlines how qualified RNs can apply for endorsement to prescribe Schedule 2, 3, 4, and 8 medicines in partnership with authorised health practitioners under a clinical governance framework and an active prescribing agreement.

Supporting documents, including a fact sheet and guidelines, are also available to help RNs understand and meet the endorsement requirements.

The standard takes effect in September 2025, giving stakeholders time to prepare for this transformative change.

‘This is a landmark moment for Australian nursing,”’ said NMBA Chair Adjunct Professor Veronica Casey AM. ‘We’re inviting the entire health community to join us on this journey.’

To qualify, RNs must:

Complete an NMBA-approved postgraduate qualification
Demonstrate clinical experience
Undertake six-months clinical mentorship with an authorised health practitioner

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) has already published the RN Prescribing Accreditation Standards, ensuring education providers are ready to deliver approved education programs.

Approved by the Ministerial Council in December 2024, this initiative is set to improve timely, safe, and affordable access to medicines for all Australians.

The scope of prescribing will align with each RN’s role, prescribing agreement, and relevant legislation.

The NMBA is committed to ensuring all stakeholders understand the new standard and how it might affect them through ongoing engagement and collaboration.

The standard and guidelines will be periodically reviewed and evaluated to ensure they are achieving their intended outcome and identify opportunities for further improvement.

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