title: Prescriptive authority for nurse-midwives. A historical review.
abstract: The profession of nurse-midwifery has undergone a major transformation in the struggle for professional autonomy. Inherent in this struggle is the profession's attempt to obtain the legal authority to prescribe drugs, devices, and treatments. This article traces the barriers to practice and the authority to prescribe from a historical perspective. Also explored are the problems inherent with the language and the implementation of relevant federal and state statutes.
authors.affiliation: American College of Nurse-Midwives, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Fennell
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000266:history*; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000266:history; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000266:history*; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000266:history; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States