ASCN UK News

Prescribing as a Stoma Nurse

Date: 26 August 2025

This piece has been submitted by Elspeth Ross, Stoma CNS at Chichester (St Richards Hospital).

I have been a Colorectal Nurse for 18 years with a passion for stoma care. I was encouraged to do the prescribing course to develop into the colorectal ERP role, as it was dead man’s shoes to fill in the stoma department (no one ever leaves this wonderful job, do they). The course was exactly as I had been led to believe: extremely interesting, the chance to meet some wonderful colleagues from every nursing discipline you can think of, and as stressful as I’ve ever experienced.

Fitting in full-time work, days at college, revision, and clinical study days while trying to do it all online (I left Uni in 1993 and did my dissertation on a typewriter – true story) gave me nine months of sleepless nights and a few tears. However, I learned so much, inspired my sons in their GCSE and A-level years, who marvelled at their 52-year-old mum poring over textbooks each day, and hopefully boosted my brain cells in the process. When I was halfway through, a surprise opening in the stoma care department came up, and my dream job became my reality. I wobbled, fearing that there wasn’t a place for me to prescribe as a stoma nurse, but my colorectal colleagues have championed me every step of the way. My scope of practice means my formulary consists of medications covered by our Trust’s high-output stoma protocol and/or colorectal pre-op protocol, so I have a good evidence base to prescribe from.

It’s been a hard but rewarding road, and I am very proud of myself. Here goes……..

If you are an ASCN UK member who prescribes as part of your role and have time to share support or feedback, please reach out to Elspeth at elspeth.ross1@nhs.net

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