54-1402 DEFINITIONS. - Idaho Statutes

TITLE 54

PROFESSIONS, VOCATIONS, AND BUSINESSES

CHAPTER 14

NURSES

54-1402. Definitions. As used in this act:

(1) "Advanced practice professional nurse" means a professional nurse licensed in this state who has gained additional specialized knowledge, skills and experience through a nationally accredited program of study as defined herein and 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 professional nurse shall perform only those acts as provided herein and for which the individual is educationally prepared. Advanced practice professional nurses shall include certified nurse-midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and registered nurse anesthetists as defined in this subsection.

(a) "Certified nurse-midwife" means a licensed professional nurse who has graduated from a nationally accredited nurse-midwifery program, passed a qualifying examination recognized by the board, and has current initial certification or current recertification from a national organization recognized by the board. Certified nurse-midwives who meet these qualifying requirements and are licensed by the board, may manage women’s health care, which may include pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapeutic and corrective measures which focus on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, care of the newborn, reproductive and gynecological needs of well women as defined by the rules of the board. The certified nurse midwife collaborates with other health professionals in providing health care.

(b) "Clinical nurse specialist" means a licensed professional nurse who has graduated from a nationally accredited graduate program in nursing with a clinical focus, passed a qualifying examination recognized by the board, and has current initial certification or current recertification from a national group recognized by the board. Clinical nurse specialists who meet these qualifying requirements and are licensed by the board may practice as expert clinicians in a particular specialty or subspecialty of nursing practice. The clinical nurse specialist provides direct client care, which may include assessing, diagnosing, planning, and prescribing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapeutic and corrective measures, health promotion and preventive care within this specialized area of practice, as defined by rules of the board. The clinical nurse specialist collaborates with other health professionals in providing health care.

(c) "Nurse practitioner" means a licensed professional nurse who has graduated from a nationally accredited nurse practitioner program, passed a qualifying examination recognized by the board, and has current initial certification or current recertification from a national group recognized by the board. Any person authorized by the board to practice nursing as a nurse practitioner in this state as of July 1, 1998, shall be licensed as a nurse practitioner under the provisions of this act and shall be eligible for renewal of such license under the conditions and standards prescribed in this act. Nurse practitioners who meet these qualifying requirements and are licensed by the board may perform comprehensive health assessments, diagnosis, health promotion and the direct management of acute and chronic illness and disease which may include the prescribing of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments as defined by rules of the board. The nurse practitioner collaborates with other health professionals in providing health care.

(d) "Registered nurse anesthetist" means a licensed professional nurse who has graduated from a nationally accredited nurse anesthesia program, passed a qualifying examination recognized by the board and, has current initial certification or current recertification from a national group recognized by the board. Registered nurse anesthetists who meet these qualifying requirements and are licensed by the board may, in collaboration with a physician, dentist or podiatrist authorized to practice in Idaho, provide anesthesia care services as defined by the rules of the board. The scope of practice for registered nurse anesthetists shall incorporate acts identified in board rules, including selecting, ordering and administering medications appropriate for rendering anesthesia care services.

(2) "Board" means the board of nursing.

(3) "Licensed practical nurse" means a person who practices nursing by:

(a) Functioning at the direction of a licensed professional nurse, licensed physician, or licensed dentist;

(b) Contributing to the assessment 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 act.

(4) "Licensed professional nurse" means a person 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 act;

(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 assisting individuals or groups of individuals to promote, maintain or restore optimal health throughout the life process by assessing and evaluating their health status, planning and implementing a strategy of care to accomplish defined goals, and evaluating responses to care and treatment.