Final answer:
Ob/gyn nurse practitioners in North Carolina have the authority to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, provided they meet specific state requirements and comply with state and federal regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In North Carolina, ob/gyn nurse practitioners (NPs) do indeed have prescribing rights. These healthcare professionals have the authority to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, as part of their scope of practice. However, to exercise these rights, nurse practitioners must meet certain requirements, which commonly include holding a current RN license, completing a graduate-level program, and having a collaborative practice agreement with a supervising physician, depending on the level of independence granted by state law.
In some situations, additional certification might be necessary, particularly for prescribing certain controlled substances. Moreover, NPs in NC must comply with both state and federal regulations concerning prescription drugs.