You are working as an advanced practice nurse at a community health clinic. You unintentionally make an error when prescribing a drug to a patient. You do not think the patient knows that you made the error. 

To prepare: 

1. Consider the ethical implications of disclosure and nondisclosure.
2. Research federal and state laws for advanced practice nurses. Reflect on the legal implications of disclosure and nondisclosure for you and the health clinic.
3. Consider what you would do as the advanced practice nurse in this scenario including whether you would disclose your error.
4. Review the Institute for Safe Medication Practices website (Links to an external site.). Consider the process of writing prescriptions, and think about strategies to avoid medication errors.

To complete: 

Write a minimum 4-page paper in APA format (excluding cover page and references) that addresses the following: 

1. Explain the ethical and legal implications of disclosure and nondisclosure. Be sure to reference laws specific to your state.
2. Describe what you would do as the advanced practice nurse in this scenario including whether you would disclose your error. Provide evidence for your rationale.
3. Explain the process of writing prescriptions and include strategies to minimize medication errors.
4. Include four or more appropriate scholarly sources from the last five years throughout the paper.

Rubric

NURS_676A_DE – NURS676 Legal Profession Paper Rubric 

NURS_676A_DE – NURS676 Legal Profession Paper Rubric
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Ethical and Legal Implications of Disclosure and Nondisclosure	40 to >32.8 pts  Accomplished Ethical and legal implications of disclosure and nondisclosure are clearly identified and discussed. State laws are referenced. 32.8 to >30.0 pts  Emerging Ethical and legal implications of disclosure and nondisclosure are somewhat identified and discussed. State laws may not be referenced. 30 to >0 pts  Unsatisfactory Ethical and legal implications of disclosure and nondisclosure are absent or severely lacking in detail. State laws may not be referenced.	40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Rationale	40 to >32.8 pts  Accomplished The rationale and the evidence for disclosing or not disclosing the error are clearly explained and supported. 32.8 to >30.0 pts  Emerging The rationale and the evidence for disclosing or not disclosing the error are somewhat explained and supported. 30 to >0 pts  Unsatisfactory The rationale and the evidence for disclosing or not disclosing the error are absent or severely lacking in detail/support.	40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Prescription Writing Process	30 to >24.6 pts  Accomplished The process of writing prescriptions to minimize medication errors is clearly explained and supported. 24.6 to >22.5 pts  Emerging The process of writing prescriptions to minimize medication errors is somewhat explained and supported. 22.5 to >0 pts  Unsatisfactory The process of writing prescriptions to minimize medication errors is absent or severely lacking in detail/support.	30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Scholoarly Sources	15 to >12.3 pts  Accomplished Four or more appropriate scholarly sources published in the last five years are included throughout the paper. 12.3 to >11.25 pts  Emerging Two to three appropriate scholarly sources published in the last five years are included throughout the paper. 11.25 to >0 pts  Unsatisfactory Less than two appropriate scholarly sources published in the last five years are included throughout the paper.	15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Mechanics and APA	15 to >12.3 pts  Accomplished Written in a clear, concise, formal, and organized manner. Responses are mostly error free. Information from sources is paraphrased appropriately and accurately cited. 12.3 to >11.25 pts  Emerging Writing is generally clear and organized but is not concise or formal in language. Multiple errors exist in spelling and grammar with minor interference with readability or comprehension. Most information from sources is paraphrased and cited correctly. 11.25 to >0 pts  Unsatisfactory Writing is generally unclear and unorganized. Errors in spelling and grammar detract from readability and comprehension. Sources are missing or improperly cited.	15 pts
Total Points: 140