AOS #37 APRN Prescribing to Self/Family

(Revised 12/2020)

KENTUCKY BOARD OF NURSING

Rationale for Advisory Opinion

Numerous inquiries have been received by the Board office requesting an opinion of the Board regarding

the role and scope of practice of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in prescribing medications for

themselves or family members.

Registered Nurse in the Prescribing of

In accordance with KRS 314.021(2), nurses are responsible and accountable for making decisions that are

based upon the individuals’ educational preparation and current clinical competence in nursing, and requires

licensees to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety. Nursing practice should be consistent with the

Kentucky Nursing Laws, established standards of practice, and be evidence based.

This Advisory Opinion Statement was developed to assist the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

(APRN) in decision-making when prescribing for themselves or for non-patients including immediate

aspects of care or prescribe medications for themselves, their family members, or other individuals with

whom they have a close personal relationship. A personal, non-professional relationship may potentially

developing a relationship with his or her own healthcare provider. Similarly, it can be difficult for the

APRN to maintain clinical objectivity when providing medical care for himself or herself, or the person who

they may have a personal or emotional relationship.

relative residing in the same residence as a prescribing practitioner.”

• Treating or Treatment - includes ordering and performing tests, making and communicating a

diagnosis, and prescribing medications.

• Minor Condition - is a non-urgent, non-serious condition that requires short-term care of a routine

nature. The condition is not likely to lead to a more serious condition and does not require on-

going monitoring.

• Emergency - a manifestation where an individual is suffering or is at risk of sustaining serious

It is the advisory opinion of the Kentucky Board of Nursing that APRNs, with prescriptive authority, not

treat themselves, family members, or other persons in a personal relationship except:

• For a minor condition or an emergency situation and only when another qualified healthcare

professional is not readily available.

• If an APRN or family member is enrolled as a patient at the APRN's practice setting.

When an APRN does provide care to family members or to other persons within a personal relationship,

the APRN should ensure that the person advises his or her healthcare provider of the treatment received.

Pursuant to 201 KAR 20:057 Section 10 Immediate Family and Self-Prescribing or Administering

Medications, (1) An APRN shall not self prescribe or administer controlled substances, (2) An APRN

shall not prescribe or administer controlled substances to his or her immediate family except (3) (a) In an

emergency situation; (b) for a single episode of an acute illness through one (1) prescribed course of

between a patient and practitioner when the practitioner is utilizing controlled substances. By definition, a

practitioner may never have such a relationship with himself or herself. It is the advisory opinion that an

APRN should not self-prescribe nor self-administer controlled substances.

Accepted and prevailing standards of care require that a practitioner maintain detached professional

judgment when utilizing controlled substances in the treatment of family members. An APRN should only

utilize controlled substances when treating an immediate family member in an emergency situation which

should be further documented in the patient's record by their healthcare provider.

201 KAR 20:057 Scope and standards of practice of advanced practice registered nurses Section 9

outlines prescribing standards for controlled substances and includes information on KASPER.

Advisory opinion statements are issued by the Kentucky Board of Nursing as guidelines to licensees who