An RPN authorized to prescribe in a specific clinical area of practice demonstrates the ability to apply, integrate and draw on diverse sources of knowledge including the integration of psychiatric nursing knowledge, pharmacotherapeutics, research, ethics, spirituality, relational practice, critical inquiry and demonstrates competence in the application of knowledge and provision of evidence informed psychiatric nursing care.

Competencies

1. Demonstrates knowledge of the health conditions being managed in the specific clinical area of practice and understands and articulates the progress of the condition and how to assess the severity of the condition and the management of same.
2. Conducts a comprehensive health and mental health assessment of the client.
3. Applies theory/evidence informed knowledge, skill, and critical judgement to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the practice of psychiatric nursing in relation to the specific clinical area the RPN is authorized to prescribe in.
4. Applies critical thinking and clinical reasoning in the problem-solving process between the current medication plan, and the current health condition of the client.
5. Synthesizes and applies recognized theories or frameworks to engage in innovative problem solving to assess the use of supplements, alternative and complementary therapies, and the impact that they may have on the current client condition and plan of care including prescribing decisions.
6. Applies the clinical support tool to make a psychiatric nursing diagnosis.
7. Uses critical inquiry and critical reasoning in decision making to synthesize and integrate client health information to ascertain that sufficient information has been obtained about the client’s co-existing conditions, current treatments, and health history, to identify possible risks and contradictions.
8. Develops a care plan based on evidence-informed practice and the clinical support tool for the specific clinical practice area.
9. Recognizes when information about the clients is not clear, incomplete, or more information is required to make safe prescribing decisions and takes the appropriate steps to obtain the relevant information.
10. Uses the clinical support tool as a guide when ordering the appropriate diagnostic tests in the specific clinical area of practice.
11. Applies knowledge of pharmacotherapy, psychopharmacology when prescribing medication.
12. Demonstrates understanding of the principles of prescribing and evidence informed prescribing practices.
13. Demonstrates understanding of drug interactions and actions of other medications that are prescribed for the client.
14. Utilizes the clinical support tool to prescribe pharmacotherapy based on the client’s health history, current health status, disease, disorder, condition and stage of life, and individual circumstances.
15. Remains current in knowledge relevant to the specific clinical area of practice that demonstrates understanding of factors that may impact diagnostic test results.
16. Interprets the results of appropriately ordered screening and diagnostic tests to inform safe prescribing.
17. Synthesizes information from the health record and comprehensive assessment to develop provisional and differential diagnoses consistent with scope of practice in relation to the specific clinical area the RPN is authorized to prescribe in.
18. Recognizes when it is clinically appropriate not to intervene and when it is clinically appropriate to implement non-pharmacological treatments, in collaboration with the client, family, and other members of the interprofessional health-care team as appropriate, while considering client perspectives, and best outcomes.
19. Identifies common causes of medication errors and adverse events and implements strategies to reduce the risks of these occurring.
20. Develops a plan of care based on evidence-informed practice and clinical support tools that have been developed for the specific clinical area of practice the RPN is authorized to prescribe in.
21. Discusses with the client and other health care providers their experience with implementing the treatment plan, adherence, including any issues arising and possible ways to improve adherence, perception, or observation of the prescriptions benefits, adverse effect; and assessment of whether the therapeutic goals have been achieved and documents the discussion appropriately.
22. Discusses prescribed medications with the client including rationale for selection, expected benefits, interactions of the drug, potential side effects, administration, instructions, importance of compliance, and recommended follow-up.