Prescribing practices of advanced practice psychiatric nurses: Part I--Demographic, educational, and practice characteristics.

This study was designed to identify and describe the prescribing practices of advanced practice psychiatric nurses. Part I describes the demographic, educational, and clinical setting characteristics. A survey method was used with N = 88 nurses representing seven different states. Nurse prescribers were: younger than nonprescribers, employed in community mental health settings, and voluntarily using a consulting physician arrangement. Limitations on practice included: statute formulary, controlled substances, and formulary/protocols with a consulting physician. Results suggest nurses' prescribing practices are used in outpatient settings, viewed as conservative, with a value on physician collaboration even in the absence of legal mandates.