Psychologists enroll in nursing program to gain prescription privileges

Two dozen psychologists recently enrolled in a master's of science in nursing (MSN) program at Felician College in Lodi, N.J. The program will certify them as advanced practice nurses, allowing them to prescribe drugs.

"This is the first time that a cohort of psychologists will be going through an executive track program in nursing specifically designed to meet their needs and recognize their professional expertise," says Alan Groveman, PhD, past president of the New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA).

NJPA worked with Felician College to develop the program, Groveman says. About 50 psychologists entered a lottery for its 24 slots. Those who weren't selected were placed on a waiting list to enter the course next year.

Students began the two-and-a-half-year part-time program in January with 16 credits of prerequisite courses that include microbiology in the winter, chemistry, anatomy and physiology I in the summer and anatomy and physiology II in the fall.

After completing the prerequisite courses, they will begin the MSN course and clinical work in January 2000.

The Felician College program is one of several strategies psychologists are using to gain prescription privileges, including state legislation. Psychologists say programs like the one at Felician are important because, once psychologists gain prescription privileges, those who've been trained to prescribe will be able to teach others.

Until psychologists gain prescription privileges, however, those who complete the Felician program will be prescribing as advanced practice nurses, not as psychologists.

However, Groveman says that whether the psychologist is prescribing as a nurse or a psychologist makes no difference to patients. "All patients care about is that they can have the convenience and assurance that one person is coordinating their treatment," he says.

For more information about the program at Felician College, send Groveman an e-mail at docamg@erols.com.

--L. Rabasca

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