Nurse prescribing refers to the power granted to nursing professionals to make judgments and decisions regarding patient psychology, dietary needs, medication, levels of care, disease progression, and other clinical considerations, as well as the authority to prescribe medications and relevant examinations (Steinberg et al., 2011; Li, 2009). Previous studies indicate that nurse prescribing systems have been established in 44 countries or regions worldwide (Maier, 2019). Since the 1960s, the United States has been at the forefront of implementing nurse prescribing, followed by subsequent adoption in countries such as Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (Fagerström, 2021). Currently, nurse prescribing is widely practiced, supported by relevant education, training, and legislative frameworks (Maier, 2019).

In recent years, the promotion of nurse prescribing in China has gradually unfolded, particularly in regions such as Hong Kong (Yip, 2021), and Taiwan (Wallace et al., 2023). Hong Kong pioneered the role of advanced practice nurses by introducing the nurse specialist position in 1993 and further implemented the advanced practice nurse role in 2003 (Wong and Wong, 2020). In Taiwan, nurse practitioners have emerged as significant figures within advanced practice nursing; they are required to possess either a master's or doctoral degree and must undergo graduate-level professional education, equipping them to assume more complex responsibilities in clinical practice (Wu et al., 2021). Additionally, Mainland China has been progressively establishing a registered nurse and nursing certification system, categorizing nurses into different competency levels according to national training and certification regulations to meet evolving healthcare demands (Wong and Wong, 2020). As of 2015, China had established 84 clinical nursing master's programs, markedly increasing the number of clinical nurses holding master's degrees (Wong, 2018). This shift has facilitated the development of advanced practice nursing programs, enabling nurses to collaborate more closely with medical specialists, thereby gradually expanding their roles (Guo and Li, 2023). Prior research indicates that the roles of advanced practice nurses encompass those of clinicians, managers, educators, and researchers (Guo and Li, 2023). In Mainland China, nurse prescribing remains in its nascent stages (Ling et al., 2018). Currently, pilot projects have been launched only in Anhui Province, Sichuan Province, and Shenzhen City in Guangdong Province, with nurses' prescribing authority limited to specific domains such as exercise, diet, and rehabilitation, excluding medication prescriptions (Ling et al., 2018). Nevertheless, nurse prescribing has not yet achieved widespread implementation across the country.

As China undergoes an accelerating aging process and the burden of chronic diseases escalates, the demand for healthcare services continues to rise steadily (Smith et al., 2014). In addition, attention is shifting toward disease prevention and rehabilitation, chronic disease monitoring, and community healthcare (Huang and Dai, 2019). However, due to the relatively limited number of physicians, particularly the significant shortfall in medical teams at primary healthcare facilities in China, there exists a challenge in meeting the increasing demand for continuous treatment and health guidance among the population (Li et al., 2020). Prior studies have demonstrated that nurse prescribing not only reduces the burden on healthcare services but also contributes to disease prevention, health promotion, and increased patient satisfaction (Yip et al., 2018; Weeks et al., 2016; Moore, 2019). Therefore, the development of nurse prescribing is important in addressing the imbalance between healthcare supply and demand, promoting public health, and advancing healthcare system development.

In recent years, China's healthcare system has undergone significant reforms aimed at addressing challenges related to access, affordability, and quality of healthcare services (Huang and Dai, 2019). Among these reforms, exploring the expansion of roles for healthcare professionals, including nurses, has been a focal point in meeting the evolving needs of the population. Understanding the acceptance and integration of nurse prescribing within the Chinese healthcare system requires insight into the sociodemographic and health-related factors that influence individuals' perceptions and attitudes toward this practice.

In prior research conducted in Western countries, several factors associated with nurse prescribing attitudes have been identified, including patients' demographics and healthcare professionals' characteristics (Fong et al., 2017; Ling et al., 2021). However, the applicability of these findings in China remains unclear due to differences in cultural norms, healthcare infrastructure, and patient-provider relationships. Furthermore, existing studies on nurse prescribing in China primarily focus on the perspectives of healthcare professionals and medical students (Ling et al., 2021; Zhou et al., 2024), with less attention paid to the attitudes of the national public. It is imperative to comprehend the factors shaping the public's attitudes toward nurse prescribing to inform policy decisions, educational programs, and patient-centered nursing practices.

Therefore, by including a diverse range of socio-demographic and health-related variables, this study aims to capture a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence public attitudes toward nurse prescribing among Chinese adults. By identifying barriers and facilitators to attitudes toward nurse prescribing, policymakers, and healthcare stakeholders could devise targeted interventions to promote patient-centered care and optimize healthcare outcomes for people.