Experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses regarding the need for prescriptive authority in KwaZulu-Natal

BACKGROUND: Nurse prescribing has become a global and transformational practice to ensure the achieving of optimal health outcomes, including advanced psychiatric nurses. Despite the transformational practice globally, South Africa seems to lag behind because nurses do not have permission to prescribe medication. AIM: To describe the experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses regarding the need to prescribe medication treatment in KwaZulu-Natal. SETTING: The study took place in three mental healthcare institutions in KwaZulu-Natal in inpatient units. METHOD: The qualitative, descriptive design was used to collect the experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses in KwaZulu-Natal regarding the need for prescriptive authority. Six focus group interviews were conducted to gather information. The seven steps of Colaizzi’s method were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The study found two primary themes and two sub-themes. The findings highlighted the necessity for advanced psychiatric nurse role recognition and prescribing. Insufficient use of skilled psychiatric nurses caused delays in addressing mental health patients in emergencies. CONCLUSION: The two themes, prescribing role of advanced psychiatric nurses and role recognition, revealed that granting advanced psychiatric nurses’ autonomy to prescribe remained a challenge. Advanced psychiatric nurses are expected to provide high-quality care, but they are limited in their abilities. Because advanced psychiatric nurses are not used to prescribe in KwaZulu-Natal, they rely on psychiatrists to manage psychotic patients. CONTRIBUTION: The evaluation of policies and procedures that guide advanced psychiatric nurses in prescribing psychotropic medications.