2013 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 45 - PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
Section 45:11-49 - Permitted duties of advanced practice nurse.

45:11-49 Permitted duties of advanced practice nurse.
10. a. In addition to all other tasks which a registered professional nurse may, by law, perform, an advanced practice nurse may manage preventive care services, and diagnose and manage deviations from wellness and long-term illnesses, consistent with the needs of the patient and within the scope of practice of the advanced practice nurse,by:

(1)initiating laboratory and other diagnostic tests;

(2)prescribing or ordering medications and devices, as authorized by subsections b. and c. of this section; and

(3)prescribing or ordering treatments, including referrals to other licensed health care professionals, and performing specific procedures in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

b.An advanced practice nurse may order medications and devices in the inpatient setting, subject to the following conditions:

(1)the collaborating physician and advanced practice nurse shall address in the joint protocols whether prior consultation with the collaborating physician is required to initiate an order for a controlled dangerous substance;

(2)the order is written in accordance with standing orders or joint protocols developed in agreement between a collaborating physician and the advanced practice nurse, or pursuant to the specific direction of a physician;

(3)the advanced practice nurse authorizes the order by signing his own name, printing the name and certification number, and printing the collaborating physician's name;

(4)the physician is present or readily available through electronic communications;

(5)the charts and records of the patients treated by the advanced practice nurse are reviewed by the collaborating physician and the advanced practice nurse within the period of time specified by rule adopted by the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services pursuant to section 13 of P.L.1991, c.377 (C.45:11-52);

(6)the joint protocols developed by the collaborating physician and the advanced practice nurse are reviewed, updated and signed at least annually by both parties; and

(7)the advanced practice nurse has completed six contact hours of continuing professional education in pharmacology related to controlled substances, including pharmacologic therapy and addiction prevention and management, in accordance with regulations adopted by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The six contact hours shall be in addition to New Jersey Board of Nursing pharmacology education requirements for advanced practice nurses related to initial certification and recertification of an advanced practice nurse as set forth in N.J.A.C.13:37-7.2 and 13:37-7.5.

c.An advanced practice nurse may prescribe medications and devices in all other medically appropriate settings, subject to the following conditions:

(1)the collaborating physician and advanced practice nurse shall address in the joint protocols whether prior consultation with the collaborating physician is required to initiate a prescription for a controlled dangerous substance;

(2)the prescription is written in accordance with standing orders or joint protocols developed in agreement between a collaborating physician and the advanced practice nurse, or pursuant to the specific direction of a physician;

(3)the advanced practice nurse writes the prescription on a New Jersey Prescription Blank pursuant to P.L.2003, c.280 (C.45:14-40 et seq.), signs his name to the prescription and prints his name and certification number;

(4)the prescription is dated and includes the name of the patient and the name, address and telephone number of the collaborating physician;

(5)the physician is present or readily available through electronic communications;

(6)the charts and records of the patients treated by the advanced practice nurse are periodically reviewed by the collaborating physician and the advanced practice nurse;

(7)the joint protocols developed by the collaborating physician and the advanced practice nurse are reviewed, updated and signed at least annually by both parties; and

(8)the advanced practice nurse has completed six contact hours of continuing professional education in pharmacology related to controlled substances, including pharmacologic therapy and addiction prevention and management, in accordance with regulations adopted by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The six contact hours shall be in addition to New Jersey Board of Nursing pharmacology education requirements for advanced practice nurses related to initial certification and recertification of an advanced practice nurse as set forth in N.J.A.C.13:37-7.2 and 13:37-7.5.

d.The joint protocols employed pursuant to subsections b. and c. of this section shall conform with standards adopted by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1991, c.377 (C.45:11-51) or section 10 of P.L.1999, c.85 (C.45:11-49.2), as applicable.

e.(Deleted by amendment, P.L.2004, c.122.)

L.1991,c.377,s.10; amended 1999, c.85, s.7; 2004, c.122, s.2.