As an advanced practice nursing student, I was impressed with the article "NPs Prove Their Value in the Inpatient Setting" (In the News, December 2006). The research it referred to confirmed not only the importance of NPs to good patient outcomes and hospital profits, but also the need for this type of quality, cost-effective health care.

Now is the time to gather support for full prescribing authority. Despite opposition, many NPs already write prescriptions on presigned prescription pads. Collaborating physicians have authorized the NPs to use their own judgment, so why not allow NPs full prescribing authority and minimize physician liability?

Laurie Glass, RN

Berkley, MI