An Analysis of Nurse Prescribing in Slovenia and Croatia: Current Practices, Attitudes, and Future Perspectives

1 Marko Petrović

2 Benjamin Osmančević

3 Sabina Ličen

3 Mirko Prosen

1 Health Center Izola, Ambulance services, Industrijska cesta 8b, 6310 Izola, Slovenia

2 Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Faculty of Medicine, Zagrebačka 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia

3 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Science, Polje 42, 6310 Izola, Slovenia

https://doi.org/10.24141/2/9/2/6

Author for correspondence:

Marko Petrović

Health Center Izola, Ambulance services, Izola, Slovenia E-mail: marko.5rovic@gmail.com

Keywords: prescribing, nurse, medications, nursing auto- nomy, pharmalogical education

Abstract

Introduction. Nurse prescribing has been imple- mented in many countries to address physician shortages and improve healthcare efficiency. Nations like the UK, Ireland, and Sweden have established models allowing nurses to prescribe medications, with varying scopes and educational requirements. While some countries permit independent prescrib- ing, others restrict it to certain conditions or medi- cations. These systems have shown clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of nurse prescribing.

Aim. This study explores current practices and the potential for implementing nurse prescribing in Slo- venia and Croatia.

Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to May 2024 on 185 nurses from Slo- venia and Croatia. The questionnaire covered de- mographics, current practices, and attitudes toward nurse prescribing. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 with descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Participants from other countries were excluded from inferential analysis.

Results. Slovenian nurses reported greater involve- ment in medication-related tasks, such as inde- pendent medication administration (SLO=28.6%, CRO=15.8%) and therapy adjustment based on vital signs (SLO=24.4%, CRO=11.5%). Statistically sig- nificant differences were found in self-education and the use of medication-related applications, with Slovenian nurses showing higher engagement. Most

participants in both countries supported nurse pre- scribing under specific conditions, especially follow- ing additional training and within a legal framework.

Conclusion. Findings indicate broad support for nurse prescribing among nurses in both countries. Slovenian nurses are more involved in prescribing-re- lated tasks even if there is no legal basis for it, while Croatian nurses are entering this area through new emergency care specializations. Future development requires targeted education, clear legal regulations, and strong interprofessional collaboration to ensure safe and effective nurse prescribing.

Introduction

Prescribing of medications has long been a compe- tence reserved for the medical profession. However, this trend is changing due to the shortage of physi- cians, better and higher-quality education in nursing, increased interprofessional collaboration, and the rise in chronic diseases, with medication prescribing becoming a competency for nurses (1). Increasingly, countries such as Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States allow nurses to prescribe medications

(2). All these countries provide education and profes- sional support for nurses. However, the education differs between countries; for example, in the United Kingdom and Ireland, education to acquire medica- tion prescribing competencies consists of 26 days of theoretical training and 12 days of practical training, while in other countries, the training is longer and or- ganized as a specialist study for nurses (e.g., Canada, Australia, USA) (2).

In 2011 the International Council of Nurses reported on the implementation of nurse prescribing world- wide. For example in 2010, Australia experienced a historic reform by expanding the scope of practice for nurse specialists, allowing them to prescribe medications in certain cases. Nurse specialists were granted the authority to prescribe medications within the healthcare insurance framework, ena- bling them to prescribe medications in both private and public practice. As a result, nurse specialists ob- tained the same prescribing authority as physicians

1. In Canada, it was observed that 14% of the pop- ulation lacks access to a family medicine specialist, which triggered a reorganization and expansion of nurses’ competencies. Nurses with higher education (nurse specialists) are allowed to prescribe medica- tions from a predefined list for chronic conditions (e.g., medications for diabetes, bronchodilators, an- tihypertensives, etc.) (3).

   Fourteen European countries have enacted legisla- tion enabling nurse prescribing, 12 of which have im- plemented it nationwide (Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom), while in Switzerland, this competence is limited to one canton. In contrast to these countries, Portugal strictly regulates and restricts prescribing to physicians, with minor exceptions such as admin- istering insulin to diabetic patients or adrenaline dur- ing an anaphylactic reaction without a physician’s or- der; however, this cannot be classified as medication prescribing (4).

   The Swedish Association of Health Professionals emphasized in 2011 that nurses’ prescribing rights should not be limited to specific workplaces or activi- ties but should instead be determined by the level of knowledge demonstrated by the nurse. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare partially agreed and outlined three conditions for granting nurses the right to prescribe medications (3,4):

   • A minimum of one year of additional training, including at least 15 credits in pharmacology and disease pathology (understanding disease progression with diagnosis and treatment);

   • The nurse must work within a specific nursing specialty;

   • To obtain the right to prescribe medications and a prescriber identification number, the nurse must be registered with the National Board of Health and Welfare.

     Thus, nurses in Sweden can prescribe medications only within their specialty. However, nurses working in primary healthcare, home care, and nursing homes do not have prescribing rights (3).

     In the United Kingdom, nurse prescribing is an es- tablished professional qualification. Research has shown that nurse prescribing is both cost-effective and clinically effective and enjoys significant patient support (2,5). Unlike other countries where nurses

     
     

     are limited to specific medication lists or areas of specialty, nurses in the United Kingdom can pre- scribe almost all medications, with exceptions for certain opioids, dipipanone, and diamorphine used in addiction treatment (4).

     Table 1 presents the scope of nurse prescribing across countries. It is evident that countries differ regarding the number of medications nurses can of- ficially prescribe, the types of medical conditions for which they can prescribe, and the type of prescrib- ing (4).

     The type of prescribing refers to initial prescribing and subsequent prescribing where the former means that the nurse prescribes a new medication, while in the latter case, the nurse can issue repeat prescrip- tions after the diagnosis has been established and the medication initially prescribed by a physician

2. To obtain competencies for nurse prescribing, it is necessary to regulate legal provisions and the educational system. Many countries offer additional training after the completion of undergraduate stud- ies, while some focus on specialized programs or sup- plementary courses (4).

The first to establish nurse prescribing was the United Kingdom, which distinguishes between the nurse supplementary prescriber, introduced in 1992, and the nurse independent prescriber, introduced in 2012 (4,6).

The Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Croa- tia share certain similarities and differences when it comes to this topic. Until recently, both countries had comparable systems; however, since 2023, Croatia has introduced a specialist training program for bach- elor’s degree nurses in the field of emergency medi- cal services, lasting one year. Upon completion of the program, nurses have acquired additional competen- cies, including the independent prescribing of thera- py related to the management of emergency condi- tions in patients (7). This marks the first branch of nursing in Croatia to have a structured specialization with extended competencies related to the pharma- cological management of patients. In Slovenia, there is still no model in place that would allow nurses to acquire additional competencies for prescribing ther- apy, and consequently, there is no legal framework to support such practice (9, 15). The growing need for interprofessional collaboration is confirmed by a comparative qualitative study conducted in Croatia and Slovenia (27). The research revealed that nurses

in both countries face similar challenges—insufficient education in the field of pharmaceutical care, a sense of unequal status within the healthcare team, and a lack of effective communication with physicians and pharmacists. Despite differences in the healthcare system contexts, both settings recognize the need for additional competencies, more active involve- ment in research processes, and a system that ad- equately values their work (4, 9, 15, 27).

Although nurse prescribing is not implemented worldwide, an increasing number of countries are choosing to optimize their healthcare systems. With appropriate implementation and legal support, this could become part of nursing curricula and profes- sional standards, thereby advancing nursing as a profession.

Aim

The aim of our research was to examine the current practice of nurse prescribing in Slovenia and Croatia, as well as the possibilities for implementing nurse prescribing in the future.

Within the aim of the research objective, we formu- lated three research questions:

• What is the current practice regarding medica- tion prescribing by nurses?

• What are nurses’ attitudes towards medication prescribing?

• What limitations, in nurses’ opinion, would be necessary in the event of implementing nurse prescribing?

Methods

Study design

We employed a quantitative descriptive study ap- proach using the survey method. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2024 to May 2024, involving nurses from Slovenia and Croatia. The on- line survey was distributed to various public health- care institutions and social media.

Respondents

A convenience sample of nurses (n=185), including 117 from Slovenia and 68 from Croatia, was used

(23). The average age of respondents was 35.8 years (SD=10.41), and the average length of work experi- ence was 14.0 years (SD=10.47) (Table 2).

Participation in the survey was voluntary, and com- pleting the survey implied consent to participate. The survey took approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Instrument

For the purposes of the research, a survey was cre- ated, based on a literature review (9, 10, 25, 26). The first part of the questionnaire collects demo- graphic information and includes the question: “Do you have the legal right to prescribe medications in the country where you work?” Respondents were provided with four response options (Yes, I am al- lowed to prescribe all medications; Yes, I am allowed to prescribe medications exclusively within my area of specialisation; Yes, I am allowed to prescribe only certain medications as defined by law and No). The second part of the questionnaire refers to current practice related to prescribing medications. The first question of the second part was “Which of the fol- lowing activities do you perform in your current clini- cal practice?” where we provided respondents with six possible answer and they were allowed to select multiple options (prolonging chronic therapy (re- newing regular prescriptions), transcribing therapy into the patient’s medical documentation (copying therapy to temperature charts), administering pain relief medications without a doctor’s order, indepen- dently administering certain medications without a doctor’s order (e.g., an additional antihypertensive

tablet, gastric protection, etc.), suggesting to other healthcare professionals which therapy should be prescribed, adjusting medications without a doctor’s order based on the patient’s vital parameters). For the next four questions, “Do you ever alert a physi- cian/clinical pharmacist about incorrect medication prescribing?”, “Do you participate in any educational sessions organized by pharmaceutical company rep- resentatives (e.g., lectures about new medications)?”, “Do you independently educate yourself about phar- macology, new medications, active ingredients, and drug effects?” and “Do you use medication support applications (e.g., smartphone apps) in your work?”, we used a three-point scale: never, occasionally, al- ways.

The third part of questionnaire refers to the possi- bilities for further practice in the field of medication prescribing. First question “To what extent should nurses be involved in medication prescribing?”, we provided three possible answers: I disagree that nurses should prescribe medications; Nurses can pre- scribe medication depending on specific conditions or frameworks; Nurses can prescribe medication in- dependently. Second question “What restrictions would be necessary if nurses were allowed to pre- scribe medications?” where we provided respondents with nine possible answer and they were allowed to select multiple options (without restrictions, they could only prescribe certain medications (limited list), only in specific contexts (special health conditions/ specialization), after completing targeted training, they can only prescribe long-term medications, only low-risk medications, only over the counter medica- tions, only in emergency situations, only within the treatment and healthcare plan). In the last question “Which of the following measures should be imple- mented to enable nurses to gain the competency to prescribe medications?”, four multiple-choice an- swers were offered (Introduction of specializations in nursing (specific knowledge in a narrow specialty area, with the option to prescribe only within that area), introduction of broader education in pharma- cology at the undergraduate level, introduction of a one-year postgraduate course on medication pre- scribing, Legally regulate that nurses can prescribe medications according to established protocols (e.g., adrenaline, amiodarone, atropine, glucose, etc.). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the internal consist- ency of our questionnaire was 0.67.

Ethics

The study was approved by the Ministry of Health, Medical Ethics Committee of the Republic of Slovenia with serial number: 0120-468/5022/6. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki-Tokyo Declaration (16).

Statistics

The data were entered in an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed in SPSS 20.0 software (IBM Corp., NY, USA) for statistical analysis. The normality of the distribu- tion of all variables was tested using the Kolmogo- rov-Smirnov test for normality. It was found that all variables significantly deviate from normal distribu- tion. For analysis we use Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test of independence.

Results

A total of 185 nurses participated in the study. Most of the participants were registered nurse (48.1%) and most of them were women (69.7%).

Most respondents do not have legal rights to pre- scribe medications (n=184; 99.4%) only 1 respond- ent has legal rights to prescribe all mediations (0.6%).

Slovenian nurses reported higher engagement in all assessed practices. Specifically, 36.2% of Slovenian nurses indicated that they independently adminis- ter certain medications without a physician’s order (e.g., additional antihypertensive drugs or gastric protection), compared to 20.0% in Croatia. Similarly, 30.8% of Slovenian nurses reported adjusting medi- cations based on patients’ vital parameters, in con- trast to 14.6% of Croatian nurses. Although the dif- ference was not statistically significant (χ²=1.217, p=0.270).

Other activities such as transcribing therapy into patient documentation (SLO 44.9% vs. CRO 23.3%), suggesting therapy to physicians (SLO 31.9% vs. CRO 22.7%), and administering pain relief without a phy- sician’s order (SLO 28.1% vs. CRO 12.4%) followed a similar pattern, favoring greater involvement of Slo- venian nurses in medication-related decisions. How- ever, none of these differences were statistically sig- nificant (Table 3).

The results revealed statistically significant differ- ences between Slovenian and Croatian nurses across all examined medication-related practices. Slove- nian nurses were significantly more likely to alert physicians or pharmacists about incorrect medica- tion prescribing (χ²=92.445, p<0.001), participate in educational sessions organized by pharmaceuti- cal companies (χ²=43.974, p<0.001), and engage in independent pharmacological learning (χ²=95.636, p<0.001). Furthermore, the use of medication sup- port applications was markedly higher among Slove- nian nurses, with no reported usage among Croatian nurses (χ²=128.701, p<0.001) (Table 4).

Future prospects of nurse prescribing

In Slovenia, 42.7% of respondents believed that nurses should be allowed to prescribe medications depending on specific conditions or frameworks, compared to 23.2% in Croatia. A small proportion of nurses in both countries supported full prescribing autonomy, with only 1.6% of Slovenian nurses in fa- vor and none from Croatia (Table 5).

Table 6 outlines nurses’ views on necessary restric- tions if prescribing were to be allowed. The respons- es indicate that nurses conditionally support the introduction of prescribing rights, particularly under specific regulatory and educational frameworks, which implies overall support (Yes) for nurse prescrib- ing under defined conditions.

The analysis of nurses’ opinions on necessary restric- tions for implementing nurse prescribing revealed several statistically significant differences between Slovenia and Croatia. A significantly higher propor- tion of Slovenian nurses supported prescribing only after completing targeted training (SLO=44.9%; CRO=9.2%), only for long-term therapy (SLO=50.8%; CRO=19.5%), only in emergency situations (SLO=49.2%; CRO=36.8%), and only within a treat- ment and healthcare plan (SLO=59.5%; CRO=24.9%) (Table 6).

The results show that statistically significant dif- ferences were observed between Slovenian and Croatian respondents regarding their support for introducing broader pharmacological education at the undergraduate level (χ²=8.033, p=0.005), a one- year postgraduate course on medication prescribing (χ²=21.637, p<0.001), and the legal regulation of nurse prescribing according to established protocols (χ²=24.695, p<0.001). Significantly more Slovenian nurses agree with those statements (Table 7).

Discussion

The primary aim of this study was to explore cur- rent practices, attitudes, and future perspectives regarding nurse prescribing in Slovenia and Croatia. The findings indicate that Slovenian nurses exhibit greater autonomy and involvement in clinical activi-

ties related to medication management compared to their Croatian counterparts, despite the lack of formal legal regulation in Slovenia. This discrepancy may reflect differences in national healthcare poli- cies, models of clinical delegation, and nursing edu- cation systems. The study shows that nurses in both countries generally support the idea of nurse pre- scribing, particularly when it is implemented under clearly defined conditions. This cautious yet positive stance reflects a responsible professional attitude towards expanding nursing roles. Nurses appear to favour dependent or protocol-based prescribing over full autonomy, indicating a preference for a regulated and structured approach. Such preferences were es- pecially evident among Slovenian participants, who more frequently endorsed conditions like additional training, limitation to long-term or emergency thera- pies, and prescribing within care plans. These find- ings suggest that while nurses are open to assuming greater responsibility, they also recognise the impor- tance of ensuring patient safety and maintaining in- terprofessional balance. This supports the argument that any future implementation should be gradual and informed by evidence and international experi- ences, taking into account the specific educational and regulatory contexts of Slovenia and Croatia. Fur- thermore, the proactive engagement of Slovenian nurses in pharmacology education and their use of digital tools indicate a readiness for more advanced clinical roles, whereas the recent introduction of specialisation in Croatia marks an important but still early step toward systemic reform. While support for full autonomy in prescribing remains low, conditional or dependent prescribing is widely accepted, particu- larly in emergency situations. These preferences re- flect a cautious and safety-oriented approach among nurses, which aligns with practices in countries where nurse prescribing has been successfully im- plemented through a gradual, regulated process.

The expansion of nurse prescribing has emerged as a global trend aimed at optimizing healthcare systems, and improving patient access to medications. Nurse prescribing competencies have been integrated into healthcare systems in several countries, with vari- ous levels of autonomy ranging from collaborative prescribing under physician supervision to independ- ent prescribing (8,18,19). However, the acceptance of nurse prescribing and its implementation remain subject to regional, professional, and regulatory con- siderations. Understanding current perspectives on

Note: χ2=Chi-square test of independence, df=degrees of freedom, p=statistically significant, The number and percentage present the answer YES

Introduction of broader education in pharmacology at the undergraduate level

70 37.8 26 14.1 8.033 1 0.005

Introduction of specializations in nursing (specific knowledge in a narrow specialty area, with the option to prescribe only within that area)

93 50.3 52 28.1 1.348 1 0.246

Introduction of a one-year postgraduate course on medication prescribing

Legally regulate for nurses to prescribe medications according to established protocols (e.g., adrenaline, amiodarone, atropine, glucose, etc.)

72 38.9 18 9.7 21.637 1 0.000

69 37.3 18 9.7 24.695 1 0.000

Note: χ2=Chi-square test of independence, df=degrees of freedom, p=statistically significant, The number and percentage present the answer YES

nurse prescribing among healthcare professionals is critical for evaluating its feasibility and potential implementation in countries like Slovenia and Croatia (9,11,15).

Nurses also identified key prerequisites for imple- menting prescribing roles, including specialized edu- cation, broader pharmacology training, and the es- tablishment of legal frameworks. Slovenian nurses, in particular, emphasized the need for formal spe- cializations and postgraduate education as essential

components for safely expanding their professional competencies. These findings are consistent with ex- isting literature, which underscores that structured education and legal clarity are critical for nurse pre- scribing to be both safe and effective (4, 22, 24).

The results also point to differences in profession- al behavior and readiness for new roles. Slovenian nurses are more likely to engage in activities such as independent pharmacological learning, attending educational sessions, and using digital tools to sup-

port medication safety. These behaviors suggest a stronger culture of continuous professional develop- ment and may reflect a higher degree of prepared- ness for adopting prescribing responsibilities.

While some European countries have successfully in- tegrated nurse prescribing into nursing practice, oth- ers are still in the process of defining legal and edu- cational requirements. Croatia has taken steps in this direction by enabling emergency nurses to prescribe specific medications under strict protocols, indicating a possible pathway for expanding such roles in a con- trolled and evidence-based manner. In contrast, Slo- venia lacks a formal legal framework for nurse pre- scribing but shows potential for development based on nurses’ readiness and interest (13, 14, 15).

Expanding the role of nurses in medication prescrib- ing requires not only educational reform and legal clarity but also interprofessional collaboration. A shared understanding of roles and responsibilities among healthcare providers can foster trust and cre- ate a supportive environment for nurses to take on prescribing responsibilities. Studies show that nurse prescribing can improve patient access to care, re- duce physician workload, and enhance the quality of pharmaceutical care when properly regulated and supported (12, 25, 26).

In summary, the findings indicate that while nurse prescribing is not yet a common practice in Slovenia, there is a foundation of interest, cautious support, and willingness to engage—especially when pre- scribing is tied to specialized roles, defined clinical contexts, and proper training. A gradual and well- regulated approach, accompanied by targeted educa- tional measures, appears to be the most acceptable and feasible path toward implementing nurse pre- scribing in both countries (15, 17, 21).

It is important to emphasize that Croatia is already implementing certain system upgrades in this area

(7). With the introduction of a specialization in emer- gency medical care, nurses are allowed to prescribe medications as specified by regulation. It can be con- cluded that Croatia is significantly strengthening the autonomy of nurses, while Slovenia is lagging behind in this regard, as the development of nursing spe- cializations is planned for the period up to 2028 (20).

We must acknowledge that nurse prescribing is not legally supported in Slovenia. Precisely because of this, the results reveal shortcomings in the health- care system, where nurses still find themselves in

situations that require them to exceed their formal competencies. It is important to highlight that Croatia is significantly more advanced in developing nursing autonomy through the introduction of specialisa- tions, which also expands the scope of competen- cies. As a result, nurses in Croatia are legally protect- ed when performing these advanced roles.

The results of this study highlight several important implications for clinical practice and health policy. Educational reform is essential, broader pharmacol- ogy education at the undergraduate level and tar- geted postgraduate courses should be introduced to prepare nurses for prescribing responsibilities. Spe- cialization in nursing should be formally established and linked to defined scopes of prescribing authority. Legal frameworks must be developed to support safe and structured implementation of nurse prescribing, with clearly defined protocols and responsibilities. Interprofessional collaboration should be strength- ened to ensure clear role delineation, effective com- munication, and shared decision-making between nurses, physicians, and pharmacists (9,10). This is further supported by research from Petrović et al. (15), which found that Slovenian nurses experience a strong sense of underrecognition and unequal stand- ing within interprofessional teams—possibly reinforc- ing their desire for formal prescribing competencies as a way to elevate their professional role.

From a policy perspective, the results from our study suggest that future strategies should prioritise structured postgraduate programs, integration of pharmacology at the undergraduate level, and legis- lative support for protocol-based prescribing. As em- phasise, successful implementation of non-medical prescribing requires a solid foundation of education, support, and regulation. Our data support this view and add context-specific insights into the Slovenian and Croatian healthcare systems (19).

To support safe implementation, it is essential to de- velop targeted postgraduate programs, strengthen pharmacology education at the undergraduate level, and establish clear legal guidelines. Promoting inter- professional collaboration will also be key. A gradual, evidence-based, and well-regulated approach, in- formed by countries where nurse prescribing is al- ready established, offers the most appropriate path forward for Slovenia and Croatia.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the findings. First, the sample size was relatively small (n=185), particularly when divided between Slovenia and Croatia, which limits the generalizability of the results to the wider nursing populations in both countries. The use of voluntary participation and online distribution may have introduced self-selection bias, as individuals with a stronger interest or opinion on nurse prescrib- ing were possibly more inclined to participate. Ad- ditionally, the absence of nurse specialists from the Croatian sample—likely due to the recent introduc- tion of postgraduate specialization programs—may have influenced the findings by underrepresenting more prepared or engaged respondents, thus limit- ing cross-country comparability. The cross-sectional design captures data at a single point in time and does not allow for causal inference or reflection of evolving trends. Moreover, the reliance on self-re- ported data raises the possibility of social desirability bias, particularly in responses regarding professional behaviors or support for future prescribing roles. Although the questionnaire was informed by exist- ing literature and demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.67), it was newly developed for this study and has not undergone full psychometric validation. The inclusion of both factu- al and attitudinal items may have resulted in variable interpretation based on respondents’ clinical experi- ence, educational background, or familiarity with rel- evant terminology. Furthermore, notable differences in healthcare systems, educational pathways, and regulatory frameworks between Slovenia and Croatia may have influenced participants’ responses and hin- dered direct comparisons. Finally, the study’s exclu- sively quantitative approach limited the opportunity to explore in-depth perspectives, cultural factors, or professional dynamics that could be better captured through qualitative methods.

Conclusion

This study explored current practices, attitudes, and future perspectives regarding nurse prescrib- ing among nurses in Slovenia and Croatia. The find- ings show that Slovenian nurses are more frequently engaged in medication-related tasks, including in- dependent medication administration and therapy adjustment. They also report higher involvement in self-directed pharmacological education, participa- tion in industry-led educational sessions, and the use of digital tools for medication support. While legal frameworks for nurse prescribing are largely absent in both countries, nurses are already involved in prac- tices closely related to prescribing.

Nurses in both countries expressed general support for the implementation of nurse prescribing, particu- larly under clearly defined conditions. Most respond- ents favoured limitations such as targeted training, restrictions to specific medication types or contexts, and integration within treatment plans. Slovenian nurses more strongly supported measures such as postgraduate education and legal regulation to enable safe prescribing practices. These results offer a foun- dational understanding of the current state and future possibilities for nurse prescribing in both settings.

Author contributions

Conceptualization and methodology (MPe, MPr); Data curation and formal analysis (MPe, BO); Investiga- tion and project administration (BO, SL); and Writing – original draft and review & editing (MPe, MPr). All authors have approved the final manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We thank the participants for their participation in the study.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not- for-profit sectors.

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