Pursuant to sections 105 and 105B of the Medicines Act 1981 and the Medicines (Designated Prescriber-Registered Nurses Practising in Diabetes Health) Regulations 2011, the Nursing Council of New Zealand ("council") gives the following notice.
N o t i c e
1. Title and commencement-This notice is the Medicines (Designated Prescriber-Registered Nurses Practising in Diabetes Health) Notice 2011 and comes into force 1 April 2011.
2. The purpose-The Schedule to this notice sets out the requirements that the council has determined must be met by registered nurses practising in diabetes health who wish to prescribe prescription medicines. These requirements are imposed under Regulations 6, 7 and 8 of the Medicines (Designated Prescriber-Registered Nurses Practising in Diabetes Health) Regulations 2011.
Schedule
A Requirements for Commencing for First Time to Prescribe (Regulation 6)
The council requirements for education and training that registered nurses practising in diabetes health must undertake before commencing prescribing for the first time are as follows:
(a) The completion of two level eight papers or equivalent, as assessed by the council. The papers must include the following content:
Pathophysiology, clinical assessment and decision making, and pharmacology; and
(b) demonstrates a clear understanding of diabetes disease processes at level eight or equivalent as determined by the council; and
(c) completion of a six to 12-week practicum with the authorised prescriber supervising the prescribing, which demonstrates knowledge to safely prescribe all specified diabetes medicines and knowledge of the regulatory framework for prescribing.
B. Other Training to be Undertaken (Regulation 7)
Registered nurses practising in diabetes health must undertake:
(a) a minimum of 40 days per year of ongoing practice in a supervised prescribing relationship; and
(b) ongoing competence requirements of professional development must include specific development relating to prescribing in diabetes health.
C. Assessments of Competence to be Completed (Regulation 8)
Registered nurses practising in diabetes health authorised to prescribe must provide to the council each year with their application for a practising certificate, evidence that they have maintained their prescribing competence.
Dated at Wellington this 29th day of March 2011.
CAROLYN REED, Registrar, Nursing Council of New Zealand.