(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Advanced practice registered nurse” means an individual who:
(1) (i) Is licensed by the Board to practice registered nursing; or
(ii) Has a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact; and
(2) Is certified by the Board to practice as:
(i) A nurse practitioner;
(ii) A nurse anesthetist;
(iii) A nurse midwife; or
(iv) A clinical nurse specialist.
(c) “Applicant” means, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) An individual applying for an initial license by examination or endorsement;
(2) A licensee applying for renewal of a license;
(3) An individual applying for an initial advanced practice registered nurse certification;
(4) A licensee applying for renewal of an advanced practice registered nurse certification; or
(5) An individual applying for reinstatement of a license in accordance with § 8–319 of this title.
(d) “Board” means the State Board of Nursing.
(d–1) (1) “Entry–level registered nursing education program” means a registered nursing education program that is the initial entry point for formal registered nursing education that, on successful completion, qualifies an individual with no prior registered nursing education to obtain licensure as a registered nurse.
(2) “Entry–level registered nursing education program” does not include degree completion programs, including:
(i) Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing to Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing (AAS–BSN);
(ii) Associate Degree in Nursing to Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN–BSN);
(iii) Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing to Master of Science Degree in Nursing (AAS–MSN);
(iv) Associate Degree in Nursing to Master of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN–MSN);
(v) Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing to Master of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN–MSN);
(vi) Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Philosophy (BSN–PHD);
(vii) Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Education (BSN–EDD);
(viii) Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN–DNP);
(ix) Master of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Philosophy (MSN–PHD);
(x) Master of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Education (MSN–EDD);
(xi) Master of Science Degree in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN–DNP); and
(xii) Master of Science Degree in Nursing to Post Masters Certificate/Post Graduate Certificate.
(e) “Expired license” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license that was not renewed before the expiration date of the license as established under § 8–312(a) of this title.
(f) “Lapsed license” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license that was not renewed because a licensee failed to renew the license or otherwise did not meet the renewal requirements of this title.
(g) “License” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license issued by the Board to practice:
(1) Registered nursing;
(2) Licensed practical nursing; or
(3) Advanced practice registered nursing.
(h) “Licensed practical nurse” means, unless the context requires otherwise, an individual who:
(1) Is licensed by the Board to practice licensed practical nursing; or
(2) Has a multistate licensure privilege to practice licensed practical nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact.
(i) “Licensee” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse who has:
(1) An active license;
(2) An inactive license;
(3) A temporary license;
(4) An expired temporary license;
(5) An expired license;
(6) A lapsed license;
(7) A suspended license;
(8) A license subject to a reprimand, probation, or suspension; or
(9) A multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact.
(j) “Mentor” means a certified registered nurse practitioner or a licensed physician:
(1) Who has 3 or more years of clinical practice experience; and
(2) With whom an individual applying for certification as a certified nurse practitioner will consult and collaborate with as needed in accordance with § 8–302.1(d) of this title.
(k) “Nurse anesthetist” means an individual who:
(1) Is licensed by the Board to practice registered nursing; and
(2) Is certified by the Board to practice as a nurse anesthetist.
(l) “Practice advanced practice registered nursing” means to practice registered nursing within the scope of practice in the area of specialty for which the individual holds a certification from a nationally recognized certifying body recognized by the Board.
(m) “Practice as a registered nurse practitioner” means to independently:
(1) Perform an act under subsection (o) of this section;
(2) Conduct a comprehensive physical assessment of an individual;
(3) Establish a medical diagnosis for common chronic stable or short–term health problems;
(4) Order, perform, and interpret laboratory tests;
(5) Prescribe drugs as provided under § 8–508 of this title;
(6) Perform diagnostic, therapeutic, or corrective measures;
(7) Consult and collaborate with, or refer an individual to, an appropriate licensed physician or any other health care provider as needed; and
(8) Provide emergency care.
(n) “Practice licensed practical nursing” means to perform in a team relationship an act that requires specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill based on principles of biological, physiological, behavioral, or sociological science to:
(1) Administer treatment or medication to an individual;
(2) Aid in the rehabilitation of an individual;
(3) Promote preventive measures in community health;
(4) Give counsel to an individual;
(5) Safeguard life and health;
(6) Teach or supervise; or
(7) Perform any additional acts authorized by the Board under § 8–205 of this title.
(o) (1) “Practice registered nursing” means the performance of acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and skill based on the biological, physiological, behavioral, or sociological sciences as the basis for assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the practice of nursing in order to:
(i) Maintain health;
(ii) Prevent illness; or
(iii) Care for or rehabilitate the ill, injured, or infirm.
(2) For these purposes, “practice registered nursing” includes:
(i) Administration;
(ii) Teaching;
(iii) Counseling;
(iv) Supervision, delegation, and evaluation of nursing practice;
(v) Execution of therapeutic regimen, including the administration of medication and treatment;
(vi) Independent nursing functions and delegated medical functions; and
(vii) Performance of additional acts authorized by the Board under § 8–205 of this title.
(p) “Registered nurse” means, unless the context requires otherwise, an individual who:
(1) Is licensed by the Board to practice registered nursing; or
(2) Has a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact.
(q) “Registered nurse practitioner” means an individual who:
(1) (i) Is licensed by the Board to practice registered nursing; or
(ii) Has a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing under the Nurse Licensure Compact; and
(2) Is certified by the Board to practice as a registered nurse practitioner.