WINDSOR, Ont. — The University of Windsor’s Faculty of Nursing, in collaboration with Continuing Education and with the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner consortium, is launching a groundbreaking certification program that will allow registered nurses to prescribe certain medications.
With this College of Nurses of Ontario-approved certificate from the Ontario University Consortium RN Prescribing Education Program, nurses in Ontario will be able to prescribe medications for specific treatments and health care such as contraception, immunization, smoking cessation and topical wound care.
Until now, only specialized healthcare providers such as physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, optometrists and chiropractors had the authority to prescribe medications.
“For communities, the benefit is faster and easier access to specific treatments in Ontario,” said Faculty of Nursing professor Dr. Sherry Morrell.
“For instance, you no longer have to wait for a doctor’s appointment to obtain prescriptions for things such as birth control, medications to help you quit smoking and travel medications to treat and prevent malaria and traveller’s diarrhea.”
Faculty of Nursing Dean Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine adds that collaboration from faculty in the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Consortium and members of the Council of Ontario Universities were vital in the organization and development of the learning models required for the course. UWindsor’s Continuing Education also played a crucial role by quickly bringing the course offering to fruition.
“We’re honoured to be contributing as the operational unit for this vital program,” said Jennie Atkins, executive director at Continuing Education. “The Faculty of Nursing is a great partner and their wealth of expertise in the field is invaluable to the learning experience this program provides.”
Atkins said there has been significant interest in the program, demonstrating the demand for certifications among Ontario nurses looking to enhance their skills and scope. It also reflects the University’s ability to adapt to evolving healthcare and nursing requirements.
“The Council of Ontario Universities is proud to support the University of Windsor in developing this innovative RN prescribing program,” said Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities.
“Drawing on the expertise of university nurse practitioners from the nine-university consortium was instrumental in developing this safe and effective program that promotes the expansion of RN scope of practice and improves access to care for Ontarians.”
To learn more about the program, visit the Continuing Education Website.