Ms Sarah Monaghan1
1Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, , Australia
Biography:
Sarah Monaghan is a Senior Policy and Project Officer at Ahpra working with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. She currently leads the designated registered nurse prescribing project which aims to improve access to medicines, particularly in rural and remote communities. Sarah brings experience across clinical practice, policy development and project management, and is committed to balancing innovation in health service delivery with public safety.
Abstract:
This workshop provides an essential overview of the Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriber, and supporting guidelines, now in effect across Australia.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of this transformative change in nursing practice and the requirements for gaining and maintaining endorsement. This will include eligibility for the endorsement and requirements that must be in place in the practice setting, such as clinical mentorship, a prescribing agreement and key considerations for rural contexts.
Aligned with CRANAplus’s 2026 theme—Distance. Dedication. Difference, and through interactive discussions, participants will explore the differences between the role and scope of a designated RN prescriber to that of a nurse practitioner and how designated RN prescribers can be supported to transition into practice in rural and remote settings. Using case-based scenarios, the session will also highlight the benefits for rural and remote practice, where designated RN prescribing can significantly improve access to timely, affordable care through safe, collaborative prescribing within a clinical governance framework and a prescribing agreement.
This workshop is ideal for registered nurses considering endorsement, authorised health practitioners such as nurse practitioners, and health service leaders preparing for implementation.