Glossary
Abandonment—means
to intentionally terminate any nurse/patient relationship without
reasonable notice to the patient or appropriate other person(s),
or both, so that arrangements can be made for necessary continuation
of care. [244 CMR 9.02]
Accountability—is
the ability and willingness to assume responsibility for ones”
actions and accepting the consequences of one’s behavior.
(Fundamentals of Nursing; Concepts, Process and Practice: Kozier,
Erb, Blais, Wilkinson; Addison-Wesley, Fifth Edition, p. 410)
Authority—Permission
a right with the power to do an act. (www.law.com)
CMR—Code
of Massachusetts Regulations.
Code of Ethics—A
statement that defines core ethical tenets, describes normative
behaviors, desired and reflects the ethical aspirations of the
nursing profession. Principles of respect, beneficence, nonmalfeasance,
and justice guide the nursing code of ethics. (Scanlon, C. A Professional
Code of Ethics Provides Guidance for Genetic Nursing Practice:
Nursing Ethics, 15, 366-369, 2000)
Competency—means
the application of knowledge and the use of affective, cognitive,
and psychomotor skills required for the role of a nurse licensed
by the Board and for the delivery of safe nursing care in accordance
with accepted standards of practice. [244 CMR.9.02]
Delegation—The
authorization by a qualified licensed nurse to an unlicensed
person
as defined in 244 CMR 3.05(1) to provide selected nursing services.
[244 CMR 3.05(1)]
Liability—An
obligation one has incurred or might through any act or failure
to act. Responsibility for conduct falling below a certain standard
that is the causal connection to the plaintiff’s injury
(Northrop, Cynthia E. and Kelly, Mary E. Legal Issues in Nursing:
St. Louis: Mosby, 1987.)
Neglect—means
the unjustified failure to provide treatment or services, or
both,
necessary to maintain the health or safety, or both, of a patient.
[244 CMR 9.02]
Responsibility—The
obligation to answer for an act done, and to repair any injury
it may have caused. (Black’s Law Dictionary: Revised 4th
Edition, p. 1476, 1968)
Work Assignment—The
designation of responsibility for nursing care or selected nursing
functions that are within the scope of the nurse’s license.
Nurse Practice Act (NPA)—Statute
that describes the Practice of Nursing as defined in M.G.L.
Ch.
112.
MGL—Massachusetts
General Law .
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)—means
a Registered Nurse to whom the board has granted written authorization,
under authority of M.G.L. Ch. 112, §80B, to engage in advanced
practice nursing as defined in 244 CMR 4.00. [244 CMR 9.02]
Glossary
in Board of Registration in Nursing Definitions re: Complaints
[244 CMR 7.00]
Dismissal of complaint. The
Board may dismiss a complaint where it determines that: (a)
the Board lacks jurisdiction over the person named in the complaint;
(b) there is insufficient evidence to support the complaint;
(c)
the conduct complained of does not warrant disciplinary action;
or (d) a nurse has successfully completed the Board’s
Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP) as determined
by the SARP
and the Board. [244 CMR 7.03]
Reprimand.
The Board may issue a reprimand in the form of a written statement
to a nurse licensed by the Board describing the manner in which
the nurse has failed to comply with any law or regulation, or
both, related to the practice of nursing. [244 CMR 7.04(1)]
Probation. Probation
consists of a period of time during which a nurse who holds a
valid license may continue to practice nursing in Massachusetts
under terms and conditions specified by the Board. The nurse whose
license is subject to probation must comply with the terms. [244
CMR 7.04(2)]
Suspension.
Suspension of a license to engage in the practice of nursing in
Massachusetts or of an APN authorization, or both, is the temporary
denial by the Board of the right of a nurse who holds a valid
license or APN authorization, or both, to engage in the practice
of nursing in Massachusetts or to engage in advanced practice
nursing, or both, and to in any way represent himself or herself
by title or other designation as a Licensed Practical Nurse or
Registered Nurse, or as authorized to engage in advanced practice
nursing or both. Suspension of the right to renew any license
to engage in the practice of nursing in Massachusetts is the temporary
denial by the Board of the right of a nurse licensed by the Board
to renew such license. [244 CMR 7.04(3)]
Stayed Suspension.
The Board may impose a period of suspension on a license to practice
nursing in Massachusetts or on an APN authorization, or both,
or on the right to renew such license, which suspension the Board
does not activate pending compliance by a nurse licensed by the
Board with specified terms and conditions. [244 CMR 7.04(4)]
Surrender. The
Board may request the surrender of a license to practice nursing
in Massachusetts or APN authorization, or both, or accept the
unsolicited surrender of such license or authorization, or
both.
The Board may also request the surrender of the right of a nurse
licensed by the Board to renew such license or accept the unsolicited
surrender of such right to renew. A nurse’s surrender of
a license to engage in the practice of nursing in Massachusetts
or APN authorization, or both, terminates the nurse’s right
to practice nursing in Massachusetts or such authorization, or
both, and to represent himself or herself by title or other designation
as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse, or as authorized
to engage in advanced practice nursing, or both. Surrender of
the right to renew a license to practice nursing in Massachusetts
terminates the nurse’s right to renew such license. [244
CMR 7.04(5)]
Revocation. Revocation
by the Board of a license to engage in the practice of nursing
in Massachusetts or APN authorization, or both, terminates
the nurse’s right to practice nursing in Massachusetts or
such authorization, or both, and to in any way represent himself
or herself by title or other designation as a Licensed Practical
Nurse or Registered Nurse, or as authorized to engage in advanced
practice nursing, or both. Revocation of the right to renew a
license to practice nursing in Massachusetts terminates the nurse’s
right to renew such license. [244 CMR 7.04(6)]
