www.npjournal.org The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - JNP 115 Tracy Klein and Louise Kaplan ABSTRACT Both educators and regulators have an interest in determining if advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are prepared to obtain prescriptive authority. A study was con- ducted to confirm competencies that could be adopted to prepare APRNs for prescribing. Prescribing competencies can serve as the foundation for evidence-based legislation, and reg- ulation by state boards, which could allow APRNs to reach their full potential. Keywords: advanced practice registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses education, competencies, prescribing, prescriptive authority © 2010 American College of Nurse Practitioners Prescribing Competencies for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses