New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 6 - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Chapter 63 - SCHOOL PERSONNEL - LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANCILLARY AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL
Part 16 - LICENSURE FOR SCHOOL LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES, GRADES PRE K-12
Section 6.63.16.7 - DEFINITIONS

Universal Citation: 6 NM Admin Code 6.63.16.7

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. "Administration of medications" as defined in Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means a process whereby a prescribed drug or biological agent, as allowed by an applicable state or federal law, is given to a patient/client by a person licensed or certified by the board to administer medications.

B. "Assessment" as defined in Paragraph (9) of Subsection A of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means the review and interpretation by a licensed individual of specific data necessary to determine the patient/client's care and treatment needs (also see data collection).

C. "Assignment of nursing activity" as defined in Paragraph (10) of Subsection A of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means appointing or designating another licensed nurse or assistive personnel that is consistent with his/her scope of practice (licensed person) or role description (unlicensed person).

D. "Competency in nursing" as defined by Paragraph (4) of Subsection C of 16.12.2.7 NMAC, means the ability to perform skillfully and proficiently the role of the licensee. The role encompasses essential knowledge, judgment, attitudes, values, skills and abilities, which are varied in range and complexity. Competency is a dynamic concept and is based on educational training, preparation, and expertise.

E. "Data collection" as defined in Paragraph (1) of Subsection D of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means the process of obtaining information, material, fact, or clinical observations which will be used in the assessment process; data collection is not limited to licensed individuals.

F. "Delegation" as defined in Paragraph (2) of Subsection D of 16.12.2.7 NMAC means the transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a selected nursing task in a selected situation. The nurse retains accountability for the delegation. As stipulated in Subsection B of 16.12.2.12 NMAC the nurse shall assign/delegate to licensed and unlicensed persons only those nursing functions which that person is prepared, qualified, or licensed or certified to perform.

(1) The nurse is accountable for assessing the situation and is responsible for the decision to delegate or make the assignment.

(2) The delegating nurse is accountable for each activity delegated, for supervising the delegated function or activity, and for assessing the outcome of the delegated function or activity.

(3) The nurse may not delegate the specific functions of nursing assessment, evaluation, and nursing judgment to non-licensed persons.

(4) Registered nurses engaged in school nursing practice may delegate medication administration, including emergency medication, to adults affiliated with school operations.

G. "Licensed practical nursing" as defined in Subsection I of Section 61-3-3, NMSA 1978, means the practice of a directed scope of nursing requiring basic knowledge of the biological, physical, social and behavioral sciences, and nursing procedures, which practice is at the direction of a registered nurse, physician, or dentist licensed to practice in this state. This practice includes:

(1) contributing to the assessment of the health status of individuals, families, and communities;

(2) participating in the development and modification of the plan of care;

(3) implementing appropriate aspects of the plan of care commensurate with education and verified competence;

(4) collaborating with other health care professionals in the management of health care; and

(5) participating in the evaluation of responses to interventions.

H. "Nursing Practice Act" means Chapter 61, Article 3 NMSA 1978 regulating the practice of nursing, schools of nursing, hemodialysis technicians, and medication aides in the state.

I. "Professional registered nursing" as defined in Subsection M of Section 61-3-3, NMSA 1978, means the practice of the full scope of nursing requiring substantial knowledge of the biological, physical, social and behavioral sciences, and of nursing theory and may include advanced practice pursuant to the Nursing Practice Act. This practice includes:

(1) assessing the health status of individuals, families, and communities;

(2) establishing a nursing diagnosis;

(3) establishing goals to meet identified health care needs;

(4) developing a plan of care;

(5) determining nursing interventions to implement the plan of care;

(6) implementing the plan of care commensurate with education and verified competence;

(7) evaluating responses to interventions;

(8) teaching based on the theory and practice of nursing;

(9) managing and supervising the practice of nursing;

(10) collaborating with other health care professionals in the management of health care; and

(11) conducting nursing research.

J. "Scope of practice" as defined in Subsection O of Section 61-3-3, NMSA 1978, means the parameters within which nurses practice based upon education, experience, licensure, certification, and expertise.

K. "Supervision/direction" as defined in Paragraph (5) of Subsection S of 16.12.2.7 NMAC, means initial verification of a person's knowledge and skills in the performance of a specific function or activity followed by periodic observation, direction and evaluation of that person's knowledge and skills as related to the specific functions or activity.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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