Specialist Certificate for Registered Nurse prescribing to enhance healthcare delivery

In 2021, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) released a public consultation paper on the proposed registration standard for RN prescribing, setting the stage for this transformative change. In September 2025, the Registration Standard to RN Prescribing will come into effect. Alongside this, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) has developed and released Standards for accreditation of courses for RNs that will lead to endorsement as a RN prescriber.

The University of Melbourne’s Department of Nursing was one of the first universities to apply for endorsement with ANMAC of their newly developed specialist certificate. ANMAC representatives participated in a site visit recently which yielded glowing feedback, affirming the Department of Nursing’s commitment to excellence in nursing education. The Department of Nursing is now eagerly awaiting endorsement from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for the approval of the specialist certificate, which will position our university as a pioneer in this field.

The potential benefits of RN prescribing are substantial. For registered nurses, it represents an opportunity to expand their scope of practice, enhance their clinical decision-making skills, and take on greater responsibility in patient care. Patients stand to gain improved access to medications, particularly in rural and remote areas, and may experience more streamlined and efficient healthcare delivery. As we await final approval, we remain committed to preparing our students and alumni for this exciting new chapter in nursing practice.