We examined the attitudes of patients with schizophrenia towards unrestricted independent non-medical prescribing of
antipsychotic agents by mental health nurses. Data were collected using the Factors Influencing Neuroleptic Medication
Taking Scale with a sample of 81 patients with schizophrenia who lived in the community. The results showed that a small
majority supported mental health nurses having prescriptive authority. Younger participants were more likely than older
participants to favour these clinicians being permitted to discontinue prescribed medication. Most considered their
relationships with mental health nurses as satisfactory, and were satisfied with the way these clinicians responded to their
concerns regarding antipsychotic agents. Beliefs about prescribing were positively associated with perceived knowledge of
medications. The findings draw attention to patient support for non-medical prescribing by these nurses. They highlight
the need for mental health nurses to be properly educated to assume this important role, and the requirement for further
research.