Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Title 172 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE
Chapter 99 - PROVISION OF NURSING CARE
Section 172-99-002 - DEFINITIONS
Current through September 17, 2024
Definitions are set out in the Nurse Practice Act, the Uniform Credentialing Act, 172 Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) 10, and this chapter.
002.01 ACCOUNTABLITY. The licensed nurse is responsible and answerable for decisions and action or inaction of self or others, and for the resultant consumer outcomes related to decisions and action or inaction.
002.02 ASSESSMENT. A systematic evaluation of the consumer's condition and response to the therapy.
002.03 ASSIGNMENT. A licensed nurse appoints or designates another person the responsibility for performance of nursing interventions. Assignments are made to individuals who already have authority to provide nursing interventions either through licensure as a nurse or through delegation from a registered nurse. Assignment is not the transfer authority.
002.04 ASSIST. To provide aid or support in the performance of an activity.
002.05 AUTHORITY. The legal authority to provide nursing care granted through licensure as a registered nurse, licensure as a practical nurse, or through delegation from a registered nurse.
002.06 AUXILIARY PATIENT CARE SERVICES. Care provided by persons authorized, assigned or directed by licensed nurses or licensed practitioners in support of that professional's practice.
002.07 COMPETENCE. A state or quality of being competent or capable as a result of having the required knowledge, skills, and ability.
002.08 COUNSELING. The process of helping a consumer to recognize and cope with stressful psychological or social problems, to develop improved interpersonal relationships, and to promote personal growth. Counseling includes analysis of a situation, synthesis of information and experiences, and evaluation of the progress and productivity of consumers
002.09 DELEGATION. The transference of authority, responsibility, and accountability to perform nursing interventions from one individual to another.
002.10 DIRECTION. The provision of guidance and supervision by a licensed nurse or licensed practitioner who is responsible to manage the provision of nursing interventions by another licensed or unlicensed person.
002.11 EMPLOYER GUIDELINES. Organizational policies or procedures that clearly delineate standards of care, job or role descriptions, and other work or care related guidelines.
002.12 LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL. An individual who holds an active license to practice a defined scope of practice.
002.13 NURSING CARE. The application of the nursing process to individuals, families, and groups which results in the performance of any act expressing judgment or skill based upon principles of the biological, physical, behavioral, and nursing sciences as defined through rules promulgated by the Board of Nursing in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2216.
002.14 NURSING INTERVENTION. The initiation and completion of consumer focused actions necessary to accomplish the goals defined in the plan of care.
002.15 NURSING PROCESS. A scientific method used by licensed nurses to ensure the quality of consumer care which includes assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation.
002.16 PROTOCOL. A written, step by step process or algorithm that is created and approved by a registered nurse or licensed practitioner that guides subjective and objective data collection, and defines interventions based upon collected data.
002.17 STABLE OR PREDICTABLE. A situation where the individual's clinical and behavioral status and nursing care needs are determined by a registered nurse or licensed practitioner to be non-fluctuating and consistent or where the fluctuations are expected and the interventions are planned, including those individuals whose deteriorating condition is expected.
002.18 SUPERVISION.
The provision of oversight, which includes maintaining accountability to determine whether or not nursing care is adequate and delivered appropriately.
002.19 UNLICENSED PERSON. A person who does not have a license to practice nursing and who functions in an assistant or subordinate role to the licensed nurse. Unlicensed persons receive authority to provide selected non-complex nursing interventions through delegation from a registered nurse.