Texas Board of Nursing (BON) Practice Exam

Under what condition can a nurse in Texas prescribe medication?

1. If they are licensed as an RN

2. If they are an APRN with prescriptive authority

3. If they have completed additional coursework in pharmacology

4. If they have a special certification in prescribing

The correct answer is: If they are an APRN with prescriptive authority

In Texas, only Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) with prescriptive authority are legally allowed to prescribe medications. This stipulation is grounded in the understanding that prescribing is a significant responsibility that requires advanced knowledge and skills. APRNs often possess advanced education, including master's or doctoral degrees, along with clinical training, which enables them to assess patients and manage their medications safely and effectively. Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) does not grant the authority to prescribe medications, as RNs are trained primarily to provide nursing care rather than to make clinical decisions regarding pharmacotherapy. While completing additional coursework in pharmacology may enhance a nurse's understanding of medications, it does not, by itself, provide the legal authority to prescribe. Similarly, possessing a special certification in prescribing does not guarantee prescriptive authority unless it aligns with the standards set for APRNs in Texas. Therefore, the clear and legally defined pathway for a nurse to prescribe medication in Texas is through being an APRN with the requisite prescriptive authority.