These rules were repealed in their entirety –
new rules adopted in their place

department of regulatory agencies
Division of Registrations

3 CCR 716-1
CHAPTER XV -  
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES
STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE
The rules contained in this Chapter XV are adopted pursuant to authority granted the Board of Nursing by C.R.S. 1995, 12-38-111.6. These rules are adopted to set criteria for authorization of advanced practice nurses who are listed on the advanced practice registry to prescribe controlled substances or prescription drugs, and to reflect current accepted professional standards for the safe and effective use of controlled substances and prescription drugs.
I.   DEFINITIONS
A.    “Health/physicalandpsychological assessment”   includes the comprehensive history taking, physical and psychological assessment of signs and symptoms, pathophysiologic and psychopathologic status of the patient, and development of a clinical diagnosis with emphasis in content and competency appropriate to the nurse's scope of practice.
B.    “Pharmacology” means the study of pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacokinetics of broad categories of pharmacological agents.
C.    “Advanced” means content and competency at a level beyond that of a baccalaureate prepared nurse.
II.   REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PRESCRIBE
Each applicant for prescriptive authority shall:
A.    Submit application on Board approved form.
B.    Pay application fee.
C.    Hold a Colorado Registered Nurse license in good standing without current disciplinary sanctions.
D.    Be listed on the Advanced Practice Registry.
E.    Provide evidence of having successfully achieved the following:
1.    A graduate degree in a nursing specialty.
2.    Completion of specified coursework. The coursework shall either be a part of a master's degree in nursing program or post basic professional nursing education in an institution accredited through the United States Department of Education. Required areas and lengths of coursework are as follows:
a.    Advanced health/physical and psychological assessment which consists of a minimum of 45 clock hours.
b.    Advanced pathophysiology/psychopathology which consists of a minimum of 45 clock hours.
c.    Advanced pharmacology which consists of a minimum of 45 clock hours..
3.    At least 1,800 hours of post graduate experience during the last 5 years in a relevant clinical setting based upon:
a.    A structured plan of precepted experience with a licensed physician, advanced practice nurse, and any other health professional addressing the areas of advanced health/physical and psychological assessment, clinical diagnosis and management, and advanced pharmacology.
b.    At least weekly interaction between the nurse and the preceptor.
c.    Experience with specific drugs which are relevant to the scope of practice of the applicant.
III.   REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSES PRACTICING WITH PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY.
A.    Each advanced practice nurse with prescriptive authority shall:
1.    Maintain at least one written collaborative agreement with a physician licensed in Colorado whose medical education, training, experience, and active practice corresponds with that of the nurse. Such agreement(s) shall identify the following:
a.    Duties and responsibilities of each party.
b.    Procedures and policies related to consultation and referral.
c.    A mechanism to assure appropriate prescriptive practice.
d.    Time frame for the agreement.
2.    Inform the Board, on any application or renewal form, of all collaborative agreements in effect including the name and license number of the collaborating physician.
3.    Inform the Board in writing of the commencement and termination of any collaborative agreement with a physician within 30 days.
4.    Inform the signer of any collaborative agreement of all other collaborative agreements then in force.
IV.   PARAMETERS OF PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY
A.    The scope of the prescriptive authority for prescription drugs and controlled substances defined in Title 12, Article 22 shall be limited to those patients within the nurse's area of practice.
B.    Prescription drugs may be prescribed for persons requiring routine health maintenance or routine preventive care.
C.    Prescription drugs and controlled substances may be prescribed to patients requiring:
1.    Care for an acute, self-limiting condition. A self-limiting condition is one that has a defined diagnosis, a predictable outcome and is not threatening to life or limb; or
2.    Care for a chronic condition that has stabilized; or
3.    Terminal comfort care.
D.    All prescriptions shall comply with applicable federal and state laws including Article 22 of this Title and Part 2 of Article 18 of Title 18, C.R.S.
E.    A nurse with prescriptive authority may accept, possess, administer and dispense samples which are within the limits of the nurse's scope of practice.
F.    A nurse with prescriptive authority may obtain, possess and administer medications which are within the limits of the nurse's scope of practice.
Adopted:  8/31/00
Effective:  10/30/00