In the US, nurse practitioners have the authority to prescribe almost all types of medications. The reason for the allowance is that they are considered competent due to extended education at advanced tertiary institutions such as the universities. However, some states have restriction on the prescription of controlled substances. Florida is one of the six states in America that have implemented the restriction. Prescribed substances are those drugs that are bound to cause addictions when abused. These drugs include depressants, hallucinogenic medications, and stimulants. This paper will delve into the implications of the restriction on the practice.

When nurse practitioners are given the authority to recommend certain medications, health care is improved since they are the only professionals in contact with patients often. Nurse practitioners’ practices have increased in the US improving the health care in the country by unburdening the public hospitals. The restriction means the gains ensured by these practices are reduced since the patients with ordinary medical problems have to be referred to a doctor.

For a practice that does not have a doctor in its structure, it becomes very difficult to keep any clientele. My practice deals with simple, manageable ailments; however, since the practice is closer to the community, emergencies on complicated medical cases such as heart attacks often need help in my facility before being taken to the hospital. However, due to the restrictions, such patients cannot access help in the practice because prescriptions of controlled substances needed in the treatment is restricted.

Running of a practice with this law in place has become harder since every time a case that needs these particular drugs appears, a doctor’s approval has to be secured raising the cost of running a practice. In addition, the law causes inconvenience to the practice and the patient because of the requirement of seeking a second opinion, which is not necessary.

Alabama and Missouri are also among the states that have regulations on the prescription of controlled substances. The two states require a nurse practitioner to collaborate with a physician who will supervise the activities of the nurse. However, in Alabama, the supervision must not be direct; it only needs the physician to be available for a tenth of the sessions in a month.