Nursing speciality

Hello, does anyone know if any nurses can specialise in things like pharmacology or medicines/drugs? I know quite a lot about medication and drugs and would like to have the chance to put this into practice.

There may be a certain MSc I could do? or a CPD course?
Anyone know? Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

Charlotte's Web

Original post by Mango65

There isn't a common role (that I'm aware of) that is a general pharmacology nurse as this role is filled by pharmacists.

There are lots of different options that might suit you though. Something that might interest you is pain management, these nurses are very highly trained to deal with specialist pain issues, for example, or working in addiction services. There is also nurse prescribing which anyone can do, which will give you much more responsibility in any nursing role and is a really useful thing to have, although it is a very intense course.*

Reply 2

moonkatt

With nurse prescribing, it's a course that augments a particular role, rather than a stand alone thing you do to become a prescriber. For example, a diabetes specialist nurse could do their prescribing so they can prescribe and alter prescriptions for insulins, oral antihyperglycaemics etc. You'll find, most nurses who prescribe will only prescribe a narrow range of drugs relevant to the role that they have.

Reply 3

Blackstarr

Like they said, nurse persecribing

Reply 4

InArduisFouette

Original post by moonkatt

Other than the Acute Care practitioners working in assessment units and the 'major' side of EDs

orthe acute elderly care Nurse practitioners trying to keep people out of AAU / off CoE wards unless they really need to be there

or Community Matrons ...

Reply 5

Mango65

Thanks for all the replies :smile:

! My sister is a NP and she can prescribe fully like a Dr. So I would like something like that I think but it sucks you can't kind of specialise in drugs/medicines. Unless a CNS does this?

Reply 6

ForestCat

Original post by Mango65

Thanks for all the replies :smile:

! My sister is a NP and she can prescribe fully like a Dr. So I would like something like that I think but it sucks you can't kind of specialise in drugs/medicines. Unless a CNS does this?

That is what pharmacists are for. Its simply not a nursing role to specialise in that. To augment their roles, sure. But never only as that.

As far as I'm aware, even nurse practitioners will have limited scope in their prescribing abilities. Limited as in only drugs that are relevant within their day to day practice. You certainly would never have free reign to prescribe any drug in the BNF.

Reply 7

Mango65

Original post by ForestCat

thanks for your reply, I shall have a look at the closest thing to this then, maybe its substance and alcohol misuse or something similar and oh I thought advanced nurse practitioners could prescribe exactly like GPs.

Reply 8

ForestCat

Original post by Mango65

No, it will only ever be within their scope of practice.

I think you're looking for something that simply doesn't exist within the nursing role. It isn't the main function of ANPs, it simply is part of their extended role and allows them to better manage their patients within their area of expertise.

Substance and alcohol misuse is much more of a supportive role than anything pharmacological. They may fine tune things like Methadone prescriptions but otherwise its much more of a psychosocial supportive role for their patients.

Reply 9

wbnurse

Original post by Mango65

Thanks for all the replies :smile:

! My sister is a NP and she can prescribe fully like a Dr. So I would like something like that I think but it sucks you can't kind of specialise in drugs/medicines. Unless a CNS does this?

I really don't mean to be rude honestly....but I've seen a few of your posts about prescribing etc....why don't you just go to med school and look at doctor role? Or pharmacist? I don't think a nurse is the role your looking for? I don't know just a thought! Xx

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Reply 10

EmiliaL

Original post by Mango65

Hi, I am in a similar position im not yet studying anything at uni, but I have heard a lot of bad things about pharmacy and I am in no way smart enough or have the grades to do medicine, so i was thinking of becoming a nurse prescriber maybe at a and e or in a doctors.

Reply 11

Mango65

Original post by wbnurse

Thanks for your reply. I can't get into medicine due to not having the grades and I really don't think I'd pass the exams, I used to do pharmacy and often think about if i made the right choice leaving. I left due to lack of patient interaction and I've heard its not very clinical anymore. However, I do sometimes regret it but i've heard such negative things about pharmacy and such positive ones about where nursing can lead. But still very indecisive.

Reply 12

Mango65

Original post by EmiliaL

thanks for you reply, I have also heard a lot of negative points about pharmacy as a job and that it is competitive. I've also heard there isn't enough jobs, however I am still in quite a pickle on what to actually do.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 13

wbnurse

Original post by Mango65

You should never doubt yourself before you've even tried....why wouldn't you pass the exams?? There's no reason. You can't go through life with regret and taking the second best in your mind. If you want to be a doctor do it!! You could even look into alternative medicine? There's so much you can do. Pharmacist wouldn't have much patient contact no but if you are very interested in medicine that would be a good option for you

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Reply 14

wbnurse

Original post by Mango65

And you don't have the grades? Go get them. Il never forget when I was 14 and I had a mock interview at school....I wanted to go into hairdressing (a cop out) deep down I wanted to be a nurse but scared I wasn't clever enough. The woman slammed her pen down when I told her and said "you listen girl you will be a nurse stuff this hairdressing! Youl live to regret it I promise!" I took her advice! Never went into hairdressing but I also left school with zero GCSEs so it took me about 5 years to build up my quals and I'm now doing my nursing. You can do it if you want it

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Reply 15

Mango65

Original post by wbnurse

I don't have the correct no. of years left for funding either. & medicine is a very competitive degree, you would need at least 2 As and a B if not three As so there is no way of me getting that at a level. I think nurses can maybe do medicine later on some how but i really don't think i could go do that at uni now... also are you currently a nurse? or a student too

Reply 16

wbnurse

Original post by Mango65

I understand it is different and very hard. I don't know much about medicine if I'm honest and I can't imagine it being easy. I'm a student nurse

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