Can Nurses Prescribe Pain Killers? Unpacking the Scope of Practice for RNs and NPs
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3 min read
Over 3 million registered nurses work in the U.S., but their ability to authorize medication differs vastly from advanced practice nurses. This is especially true when asking, can nurses prescribe pain killers?, as prescriptive authority is not a universal nursing privilege. This critical distinction is based on a nurse's education, licensure, and state regulations, which create a clear separation in roles and responsibilities.
