33-21-120. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)" means a nurse who:

(A) May prescribe, administer, dispense or provide nonprescriptive and prescriptive medications including prepackaged medications, except schedule I drugs as defined in W.S. 35-7-1013 and 35-7-1014;

(B) Has responsibility for the direct care and management of patients and clients in relation to their human needs, disease states and therapeutic and technological interventions;

(C) Has a doctorate or master's degree in nursing, or an advanced practice registered nurse specialty or has completed an accredited advanced practice registered nurse educational program prior to January 1, 1999; and

(D) Has completed an advanced program of study in a specialty area in an accredited nursing program, has taken and passed a national certification examination in the same area and has been granted licensure by the board to practice as an APRN.

(ii) "Alford plea" means a plea agreement where the defendant has pled guilty yet not admitted to all the facts that comprise the crime;

(iii) "Approval" is the process by which the board provides for evaluation and grants official recognition to nursing educational programs which meet established uniform and reasonable standards;

(iv) "Board" means the Wyoming state board of nursing;

(v) "Certificate" means a document issued by the board permitting the performance by a nursing assistant/nurse aide of basic related nursing tasks and skills delegated by a licensed nurse and as allowed by statute and board rule;

(vi) "Competence" means the application of knowledge and the interpersonal, critical thinking, decision-making and psychomotor skills expected for the practice role within the context of public health, safety and welfare;

(vii) "Impaired" means the inability to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of one (1) or more of the following:

(A) Lack of nursing competence;

(B) Mental illness;

(C) Physical illness including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill; or

(D) Chemical or alcohol impairment.

(viii) "License" means a current document permitting the practice of nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;

(ix) "Nursing process" means the investigative approach to nursing practice utilizing a method of problem identification by means of:

(A) Assessment: A systematic and continuous collection of objective and subjective data about the health status of individuals and groups derived from observations, health assessment including physical assessment, interviews, written records and reports;

(B) Nursing Diagnosis: The identification of actual or potential responses to health needs or problems based on collecting, analyzing and comparing data with appropriate nursing standards to serve as the basis for providing nursing care or for which referral to appropriate medical or community resources is required;

(C) Planning: Development of a plan of care which includes measurable goals derived from the nursing diagnosis and identified priorities to maintain comfort, support of human functions and responses, and an environment conducive to wellness;

(D) Intervention: Actions in nursing practice which implement the plan of care to maximize health capabilities of individuals and groups;

(E) Evaluation: The continuous appraisal of the effectiveness of goal attainment in the plan of care by means of reassessing health status, and if necessary, modifying nursing diagnosis, plan of care and interventions.

(x) "Practice of practical nursing" means the performance of technical services and nursing procedures which require basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences. These skills and services are performed under the direction of a licensed physician or dentist, advanced practice registered nurse or registered professional nurse. Standardized procedures that lead to predictable outcomes are utilized in the observation and care of the ill, injured and infirm, in provision of care for the maintenance of health, in action directed toward safeguarding life and health, in administration of medications and treatments prescribed by any person authorized by state law to prescribe and in delegation to appropriate assistive personnel as provided by state law and board rules and regulations;

(xi) "Practice of professional nursing" means the performance of professional services requiring substantial knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences, and of nursing theory as the basis for applying the nursing process which consists of assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation. The nursing process is utilized in the promotion and maintenance of health, case finding and management of illness, injury or infirmity, restoration of optimum function and achievement of a dignified death. Nursing practice includes but is not limited to administration, teaching, counseling, supervision, delegation, evaluation of nursing practice and execution of the medical regimen. The therapeutic plan includes the administration of medications and treatments prescribed by any person authorized by state law to prescribe. Each registered professional nurse is accountable and responsible for the quality of nursing care rendered;

(xii) "Practice of a certified nursing assistant/nurse aide" means, regardless of title or care setting, the performance of nursing related tasks and services delegated by a licensed nurse. The nursing assistant/nurse aide shall complete a specified course of study approved by the board, meet minimum competency requirements and be certified by the board;

(xiii) "This act" means W.S. 33-21-119 through 33-21-157.