Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests: Guidelines

The Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation (Alta Reg 22/2023, s 60) authorizes registered nurses (RNs) who meet certain requirements to prescribe Schedule 1 drugs and order diagnostic tests. Throughout this document, the phrase “RN prescribing” refers to the authorization of RN prescribing Schedule 1 drugs (except for controlled drugs and substances) and ordering diagnostic tests.

This supplemental guideline document provides:

• additional information on the authorization of RN prescribing;
• enhanced information on meeting employer support requirements for RN prescribing authorization;
• assistance to RNs, employers, and other health professionals in understanding the clinical practice areas where RN prescribing can occur; and
• guidance on the requirements for follow up when diagnostic tests are used with the RN prescribing process.

This document is a companion document and must be used with the following two documents:

• Competencies for Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests (CRNA, 2022a)
• Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests: Requirements and Standards (CRNA, 2022b)

This document is not intended to address the expectations for the authorization of the restricted activity of RNs ordering diagnostic imaging with the use of a clinical support tool (CST) that does not include RN prescribing. The Restricted Activities Standards (CRNA, 2022c) outlines the expectations for ordering medical radiography with the use of a CST outside of the authorization of RN prescribing and ordering diagnostic tests.