§ 54-1402 — DEFINITIONS

As used in this chapter:
(1) "Advanced practice registered nurse" means a registered nurse licensed in this state who has gained additional specialized knowledge, skills and experience through a program of study recognized or defined by the board. An advanced practice registered nurse is authorized to perform advanced nursing practice, which may include the prescribing, administering and dispensing of therapeutic pharmacologic agents, as defined by board rules. An advanced practice registered nurse shall perform only those acts as provided by the board and for which the individual is educationally prepared. Advanced practice registered nurses shall include the following four (4) roles: certified nurse-midwife; clinical nurse specialist; certified nurse practitioner; and certified registered nurse anesthetist as defined in board rule. An advanced practice registered nurse collaborates with other health professionals in providing health care.
(2) "Board" means the board of nursing.
(3) "Licensed practical nurse" means a person licensed by the board who practices nursing by:
(a) Functioning at the direction of a licensed registered nurse, licensed advanced practice registered nurse, licensed physician, or licensed dentist in a role falling within the nurse’s scope of practice as defined by the board;
(b) Performing appropriate delegated focused assessments of the health status of individuals and groups of individuals;
(c) Participating in the development and modification of the strategy of care;
(d) Implementing the appropriate aspects of the strategy of care as defined by the board, including administering medications and treatments as prescribed by those health care providers authorized to prescribe medication;
(e) Maintaining safe and effective nursing care rendered directly or indirectly;
(f) Participating in the evaluation of responses to interventions; and
(g) Delegating nursing interventions that may be performed by others and that do not conflict with this chapter.
(4) "Licensed registered nurse" means a person licensed by the board who practices nursing by:
(a) Assessing the health status of individuals and groups of individuals;
(b) Identifying health care problems that are amenable to nursing intervention;
(c) Establishing goals to meet identified health care needs;
(d) Planning a strategy of care;
(e) Prescribing nursing interventions to implement the strategy of care;
(f) Implementing the strategy of care, including administering medications and treatments as prescribed by those health care providers authorized to prescribe medication;
(g) Authorizing nursing interventions that may be performed by others and that do not conflict with this chapter;
(h) Maintaining safe and effective nursing care rendered directly or indirectly;
(i) Evaluating responses to interventions;
(j) Teaching the theory and practice of nursing;
(k) Managing the practice of nursing; and
(l) Collaborating with other health professionals in the management of health care.
(5) "Nursing education program" means a course of instruction offered and conducted to prepare persons for the practice of nursing, or to increase the knowledge and skills of the practicing nurse.
(6) "Practice of nursing" means the performance by licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses of acts and services that require formal nursing education and specialized knowledge, judgment and skill, which acts and services assist individuals, groups, communities and populations in order to promote, maintain or restore optimal health and well-being throughout the life process. Nursing practice encompasses a broad continuum of services delivered in health care and non-health care environments for remuneration or as volunteer service. Nursing practice may be clinical as well as nonclinical in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, education, administration, research and public service. Nursing practice occurs at the physical location of the recipient.

Legislative History

[54-1402, added 1977, ch. 132, sec. 2, p. 280; am. 1984, ch. 57, sec. 1, p. 101; am. 1991, ch. 149, sec. 1, p. 358; am. 1994, ch. 232, sec. 1, p. 723; am. 1998, ch. 118, sec. 1, p. 435; am. 2004, ch. 262, sec. 1, p. 739.; am. 2012, ch. 142, sec. 2, p. 372; am. 2016, ch. 215, sec. 1, p. 603; am. 2025, ch. 14, sec. 1, p. 45.]