Medications are typically dispensed during nursing care. In some countries a nurse is only responsible to administer medication as prescribed by a doctor. In other countries nurses are legally responsible to ensure that the medication is appropriate for the patient and have the authority to interpret the order. Administration of medication by nurses generally requires the nurse to apply advanced knowledge and critical thinking to determine the safety of the administered medication. Advanced practice nurses (Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) prescribe medications as regulated by the state boards of nursing. Advanced practice nursing requires additional education, generally at the master's level. Advanced practice nurses, depending on specialty and state regulations may assess, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose and treat medical conditions and evaluate the results. Advance practice varies in the different states from supervised (by a physician) to completely independent practice. Multiple research studies indicate patients treated by advanced practice nurses have the same outcomes as patients treated by physicians. Patient satisfaction has been equal to treatment by physicians. Advanced practice nurses may be part of the solution to an overburdened and costly health care system. Advanced practice nurses retain the holistic and preventative framework of nursing, and are ideally suited to wellness care.
