West Virginia Moving Toward Prescribing Authority for APRNs

The West Virginia House of Delegates has approved a bill that would give advanced practice registered nurses more authority to treat patients and prescribe medications without a physician’s supervision. If the state senate also passes the “Nurse Practitioners Bill,” West Virginia will become the 22^nd state allowing nurse practitioners to do so. The senate has already proposed two amendments to the version passed by the house; one would establish an advisory board to put forth standards and make recommendations for the parameters of those prescribing powers, while the other would allow NPs to sign certain forms that currently require a physician’s signature. The next step will be for the Senate Government Organization Committee to review the proposed legislation.