Meet the first nurse authorized for RN prescribing
When Cyril Lee Turley, a Registered Nurse (RN) in Little Current on Manitoulin Island, learned that RN prescribing was going to be made available in Ontario, he immediately knew he wanted to become authorized to prescribe medication to his patients. He was so determined to support his patients, he became the first RN to obtain this authority.
“I was very excited,” he said, after seeing the announcement from CNO in Nov. 2023. He connected what it would mean to his practice environments, including both long-term care, where he has worked in the past, and primary care, where he works now. As he saw it, RN prescribing could support his patients with more direct care and reduce wait times.
Cyril Lee Turley, RN, at Little Current on Manitoulin
Island
The new RN prescribing authority means those who successfully complete a CNO-approved education program can communicate a diagnosis and prescribe certain medications for that diagnosis, such as certain vaccines, travel medications and contraception, under the Nursing Act, 1991. Being able to communicate diagnoses and prescribe medications, Turley thought, would be a great way to support patients by increasing access to safe and quality health care, especially in his more rural and remote community.
So, Turley got to work right away in Jan. 2024, and enrolled in the Registered Nurse Prescribing Education Program: Safe and Ethical Practice, at Georgian College. This program is one of four CNO-approved programs offered in colleges and universities throughout the province. While each program is unique, they are designed with a virtual or hybrid format, making them accessible to nurses, even those in remote communities.
Eager to learn, he dove right in. Turley said he really appreciated how the program reinforced the importance of putting patient safety first, in keeping with CNO’s RN prescribing practice standard. He pointed out that if there is a moment where he doesn’t have the knowledge, skill and judgment to prescribe a medication safely, effectively and ethically, it’s his responsibility not to do so.
When he completed the program, Turley soon learned he was the first to graduate, an accomplishment he found “humbling, exciting and groundbreaking.” He added, “It’s a historic milestone for the province and CNO.”
Turley also said that adding RN prescribing aligned with his ongoing practice reflection and growth as a nurse. “It linked perfectly with QA Every Day,” he said, referring to the professional responsibility of nurses. “We were able to learn more and keep up with best practices.”
He encourages other nurses to follow a similar path to support patients. “I've had a couple of colleagues reach out to me to ask about the program. I definitely would recommend it. Knowledge is power in nursing.”
Visit cno.org to learn more about RN Prescribing practice.
