2010 Arkansas Code
Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses
Subtitle 3 - Medical Professions
Chapter 87 - Nurses
Subchapter 1 - General Provisions
§ 17-87-102 - Definitions.

17-87-102. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Board" means the Arkansas State Board of Nursing;

(2) "Collaborative practice agreement" means a written plan that identifies a physician who agrees to collaborate with an advanced practice nurse in the joint management of the health care of the advanced practice nurse's patients, and outlines procedures for consultation with or referral to the collaborating physician or other health care professionals as indicated by a patient's health care needs;

(3) "Consulting physician" means a physician licensed under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, 17-95-201 et seq., 17-95-301 et seq., and 17-95-401 et seq., with obstetrical privileges in a hospital, who has agreed to practice in consultation with a certified nurse midwife;

(4) (A) "Practice of advanced practice nursing" means the delivery of health care services for compensation by professional nurses who have gained additional knowledge and skills through successful completion of an organized program of nursing education that certifies nurses for advanced practice roles as advanced nurse practitioners, certified nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.

(B) (i) "Practice of advanced nurse practitioner nursing" means the performance for compensation of nursing skills by a registered nurse who, as demonstrated by national certification, has advanced knowledge and practice skills in the delivery of nursing services.

(ii) "Practice of certified registered nurse anesthesia" means the performance for compensation of advanced nursing skills relevant to the administration of anesthetics under the supervision of, but not necessarily in the presence of, a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or other person lawfully entitled to order anesthesia. A certified registered nurse anesthetist may order nurses, within their scope of practice, to administer drugs preoperatively and postoperatively in connection with an anesthetic or other operative or invasive procedure, or both, that will be or has been provided.

(iii) "Practice of clinical nurse specialist nursing" means the performance for compensation of nursing skills by a registered nurse who, through study and supervised practice at the graduate level and as evidenced by national certification, has advanced knowledge and practice skills in a specialized area of nursing practice;

(iv) "Practice of nurse midwifery" means the performance for compensation of nursing skills relevant to the management of women's health care, focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, care of the newborn, family planning, and gynecological needs of women, within a health care system that provides for consultation, collaborative management, or referral as indicated by the health status of the client;

(5) "Practice of practical nursing" means the performance for compensation of acts involving the care of the ill, injured, or infirm or the delegation of certain nursing practices to other personnel as set forth in regulations established by the board under the direction of a registered professional nurse, an advanced practice nurse, a licensed physician, or a licensed dentist, which acts do not require the substantial specialized skill, judgment, and knowledge required in professional nursing;

(6) "Practice of professional nursing" means the performance for compensation of any acts involving:

(A) The observation, care, and counsel of the ill, injured, or infirm;

(B) The maintenance of health or prevention of illness of others;

(C) The supervision and teaching of other personnel;

(D) The delegation of certain nursing practices to other personnel as set forth in regulations established by the board; or

(E) The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by practitioners authorized to prescribe and treat in accordance with state law when such acts require substantial specialized judgment and skill based on knowledge and application of the principles of biological, physical, and social sciences;

(7) "Practice of psychiatric technician nursing" means the performance for compensation of acts involving the care of the physically and mentally ill, retarded, injured, or infirm or the delegation of certain nursing practices to other personnel as set forth in regulations established by the board, and the carrying out of medical orders under the direction of a registered professional nurse, an advanced practice nurse, a licensed physician, or a licensed dentist, when such activities do not require the substantial specialized skill, judgment, and knowledge required in professional nursing; and

(8) (A) "Practice of registered nurse practitioner nursing" means the delivery of health care services for compensation in collaboration with and under the direction of a licensed physician or under the direction of protocols developed with a licensed physician.

(B) Registered nurse practitioners shall be authorized to engage in activities as recognized by the nursing profession and as authorized by the board.

(C) Nothing in this subdivision (8) is to be deemed to limit a registered nurse practitioner from engaging in those activities which normally constitute the practice of nursing, or those which may be performed by persons without the necessity of the license to practice medicine.