CRNA: Approval of RN Prescribing Authorization

I am pleased to inform you that you are now authorized for RN prescribing Schedule 1 drugs (except for controlled drugs and substances) and ordering diagnostic tests.

Your practice permit will identify the authorization to prescribe Schedule 1 drugs (except controlled drugs and substances) and the specific clinical practice area where you are authorized to prescribe at.

Your Prescriber ID is your registration number, {{RegistrationNumber}}.

Please note:

• This authorization only applies in the specific clinical practice area and in relation to the clinical support tool(s) submitted with your application.
• If you want to change your clinical practice area or add additional clinical practice areas, then you must apply to the CRNA in relation to the new clinical practice area. The fact that you may be authorized in one clinical practice area does not mean that you will be authorized in another and there may be additional education or other requirements deemed necessary by the Registrar in relation to additional areas.
• You must notify the CRNA if your employer or employment address changes or if your employment with your employer ends.

Your authorization was approved as the following requirements were met:

• successful completion of an approved education program for RN prescribing and ordering diagnostic tests 
• 3,000 hours of RN clinical practice, 750 hours of which is in the specific clinical practice area where you are applying for this authorization 
• submission of a satisfactory employer reference 
• confirmation that: 
  • your employer has policies in place that allows RN prescribing and ordering diagnostic tests 
  • the clinical practice area has clinical support tools developed by the inter-professional team and are in place for the specific practice setting. 
  • you have a collaborative practice relationship with either a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physician as appropriate to the setting. 

Please note:  

The clinical support tool(s) that you submitted has been reviewed by the CRNA staff to ensure that it includes all of the required components for a clinical support tool set out in the Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests: Requirements and Standards (2019). The CRNA staff are not subject matter experts in your clinical area or part of the inter-professional team that developed the tool. As such, the CRNA staff are not in a position to evaluate the clinical support tool(s) to determine whether the information in the tool is appropriate, complete or evidence based best practice for your clinical setting. You and your inter-professional team are responsible for the quality of the tool and ensuring that the information in the tool is appropriate, complete and evidence based best practice. The clinical support tool(s) that you submitted has been saved to your personal file. Any additional clinical support tools for your practice must be submitted to the CRNA prior to implementation. 

Additional Information 

Title and Scope of Practice 

• As an RN authorized to prescribe schedule 1 drugs and order diagnostic tests, you will continue to use the protected title Registered Nurse or RN. There is no additional credential used here as the authorization is incorporated into your role and responsibilities and scope of practice as an RN.
• An RN who is authorized to prescribe Schedule 1 drugs (except controlled drugs and substances), and to order diagnostic tests in a specific clinical practice area, must practice in accordance with the standards and criteria outlined in Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests: Requirements and Standards (2019).
• When completing prescriptions to be filled by your patient's local pharmacy you must provide your name followed by the initials RN, your CRNA prescriber ID number, a contact telephone number, and all other requirements as per the Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests Guidelines (2019).
• Your practice setting or employer position description may further define your scope of practice and you must follow your employers polices relevant to your practice setting.
• The CRNA’s Restricted Activities Standards (2019) Standard 1, Criteria 1.7 outlines the expectations for ordering medical radiography with the use of a clinical support tool.

Practice Information

Alberta College of Pharmacy 

The CRNA regularly provides the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) with a list of all Alberta NPs and GNPs and RNs who have prescribing authority. Only registered ACP members have access to this list. The list allows pharmacists to quickly authenticate and verify prescriptions written by NPs, GNPs and RNs who are authorized to prescribe. 

The prescriber list includes each prescriber’s first and last name, approved practice setting, registration number and any conditions on their ability to prescribe. This information is securely stored on the ACP's website and is hosted on a web server located outside of Canada. We have provided consent for this information storage according to the Alberta Privacy and Information Protection Act (PIPA section 13.1(2)). 

If you have any questions about how your prescriber information is stored, contact the CRNA Privacy Officer Privacy Officer at privacy@nurses.ab.ca or ACP Privacy Officer at privacy@abpharmacy.ca.

Alberta Government Benefits Programs 

The CRNA notifies Alberta Blue Cross that you are authorized for RN prescribing schedule 1 drugs (except for controlled drugs and substances) and ordering diagnostic tests. Alberta Blue Cross administers the government-funded benefits for Alberta Health. There are a variety of benefit programs with various authorization forms that must be completed and can be found at https://www.ab.bluecross.ca/dbl/forms.php.

Alberta Health

The CRNA notifies Alberta Health that you are authorized for RN prescribing schedule 1 drugs (except for controlled drugs and substances) and ordering diagnostic tests for compensated health services.

Detailed instructions for completing a practitioner request can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/ahcip-instructions-completing-ahc11234-practitioner-request-form.pdf.

Complete the practitioner request form found at https://formsmgmt.gov.ab.ca/Public/AHC11234.xdp. Send by email or fax directly to Alberta Health and be sure to include the letter on the last page of this package.

You must use your Prac ID when ordering diagnostic tests. When you use your Prac ID, please include your contact information to ensure other providers can notify you of results.

Resources available on CRNA website 

• Practice Standards for Registrants (Apr 2013) with CNA Code of Ethics (2017) 
• Restricted Activities Standards (2019)
• Entry Level Competencies for the Practice of Registered Nurses (2019) 
• Scope of Practice for Registered Nurses (RNs) (2021)
• Competencies for Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests (2019)
• Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests: Requirements and Standards (2019)
• Registered Nurse Prescribing Schedule 1 Drugs and Ordering Diagnostic Tests Guidelines (2019)
• Privacy and Management of Health Information Standards (2020)