Courtney, M. & Griffiths, M. (Eds) (2004) Independent and Supplementary Prescribing. An Essential Guide. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
Joint Formulary Committee (2010) British National Formulary. 59 March. London. British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
McKinnon, J.(Ed) (2007) Towards Prescribing Practice. Chichester. John Wiley & sons.

You must be registered with the NMC and intend to practice in an area where Prescribing will improve patient care and service delivery
Have appropriate experience in the area of practice in which he/she will be prescribing. This equates to 12 months prior experience in areas of which the registrant is going to prescribe if employed full time, and 3 years if part time.
Must have support of their employing organisation in writing and access to a designated prescribing mentor who currently holds the V100/V150/V300 certificate. This individual will assess prescribing competence in practice and facilitate the completion of the prescribing work book.
(In this instance the term `employing organisation' refers to NHS organisations and those specifically identified by the NHS).

Mentor/Community Practice Teacher/Practice Educator
Clinical practice placement
Blackboard
Library
IT resources

Contact Hours: (60)
Student centred learning
Classroom based activities including -
30 hours Lectures
12 hours Use of specialist speakers
12 hours Directed study
6 hours Discussion and debate and reflection on practice

Independent Study Hours: (90)
36 hours assignment preparation and workbook guided study
36 hours background study and blackboard work
14 hours library time
4 hours group and individual tutorials

1. Assignment. 2,000 words weighted at 100%. (contributes to meeting learning outcomes 1, 3, 4 and 5)

2. Examination - unseen examination paper of 30 minutes duration comprising of 10 numeracy questions related to the practice of prescribing. Weighted at 0%. Pass/Fail. Students must achieve a mark of 100% in order to comply with professional standards. (contributes to meeting learning outcome 5)

3. Examination - unseen examination paper of one hour duration - 10 MCQ and 5 SAQ to test knowledge of pharmacology. Weighted at 0%. Pass/Fail. Students must achieve a mark of 80% in order to comply with professional standards. (contributes to meeting learning outcome 4)

4. OSCE examination of 30 minutes duration ¿ to test application of knowledge to the assessment of patients and the writing of an accurate, valid prescription. Weighted at 0%. Pass/Fail. (contributes to meeting learning outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5)

5. Clinical competency framework booklet. Must be completed and signed by prescribing mentor. Weighted at 0%. Pass/Fail. (contributes to meeting learning outcomes 1, 3, 4 and 5)

All individual elements of the assessment process must be passed to successfully complete the module.
Any evidence of unsafe and/or dangerous practice recognised in any part of the assessment process will result in an automatic failure of that element/s.

If a student does not complete all the assessments within one year they must undertake the whole programme and all the assessments again (NMC standard 6 2007)

Evidence based practice and clinical governance in relation to nurse prescribing. Legal, policy and ethical aspects. Professional accountability and responsibility. Consultation, decision making and referral. Influences on and psychology of prescribing. Prescribing in a team context. Clinical pharmacology. Monitoring procedures and reporting of adverse drug reactions. Cost effective prescribing. Reflection and record Keeping.