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Responsibilities | Application of the Guide for Decision-Making
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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 one’s 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).
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)—means a Registered Nurse to whom the board has granted written authorization, under authority of MGL Ch. 112, §80B, to engage in advanced practice nursing as defined in 244 CMR 4.00 [244 CMR 9.02].
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, nonmaleficence, 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).
MGL—Massachusetts General Law.
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].
Nurse Practice Act (NPA)—Statute that describes the Practice of Nursing as defined in MGL Ch. 112.
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.
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].
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)].
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)].
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)].
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)].
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)].
Main Page | Purpose and Statement of Problem | Legal Considerations
Responsibilities | Application of the Guide for Decision-Making
Algorithm 1 | Algorithm 2 | Glossary | References
