2011 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 61: Professional and Occupational Licenses
Article 3: Nursing, 61-3-1 through 61-3-31
Section 61-3-23.3: Certified registered nurse anesthetist; qualifications; licensure; practice; endorsement.

61-3-23.3. Certified registered nurse anesthetist; qualifications; licensure; practice; endorsement.

A. The board may license for advanced practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist an applicant who furnishes evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:

(1) is a registered nurse;

(2) has successfully completed a nurse anesthesia education program accredited by the council on accreditation of nurse anesthesia education programs; provided that if the applicant is initially licensed by the board or a board in another jurisdiction after January 1, 2001, the program shall be at a master's level or higher; and

(3) is certified by the council on certification of nurse anesthetists.

B. A certified registered nurse anesthetist may provide pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative anesthesia care and related services, including ordering of diagnostic tests, in accordance with the current American association of nurse anesthetists' guidelines for nurse anesthesia practice.

C. Certified registered nurse anesthetists shall function in an interdependent role as a member of a health care team in which the medical care of the patient is directed by a licensed physician, osteopathic physician, dentist or podiatrist licensed in New Mexico pursuant to Chapter 61, Article 5A, 6, 8 or 10 NMSA 1978. The certified registered nurse anesthetist shall collaborate with the licensed physician, osteopathic physician, dentist or podiatrist concerning the anesthesia care of the patient. As used in this subsection, "collaboration" means the process in which each health care provider contributes his respective expertise. Collaboration includes systematic formal planning and evaluation between the health care professionals involved in the collaborative practice arrangement.

D. A certified registered nurse anesthetist who has fulfilled the requirements for prescriptive authority in the area of anesthesia practice is authorized to prescribe and administer therapeutic measures, including dangerous drugs and controlled substances included in Schedules II through V of the Controlled Substances Act [30-31-1 NMSA 1978] within the emergency procedures, perioperative care or perinatal care environments. Dangerous drugs and controlled substances, pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act, that have been prepared, packaged or fabricated by a registered pharmacist or doses of drugs that have been prepackaged by a pharmaceutical manufacturer in accordance with the Pharmacy Act [61-11-1 NMSA 1978] and the New Mexico Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act [26-1-1 NMSA 1978] may be prescribed and administered.

E. A certified registered nurse anesthetist who has fulfilled the requirements for prescriptive authority in the area of anesthesia practice may prescribe in accordance with rules, regulations and guidelines. The board shall adopt rules concerning a prescriptive authority formulary for certified registered nurse anesthetists that shall be based on the scope of practice of certified registered nurse anesthetists. The board, in collaboration with the New Mexico board of medical examiners, shall develop the formulary. Certified registered nurse anesthetists who prescribe shall do so in accordance with the prescriptive authority formulary.

F. A health care facility may adopt policies relating to the providing of anesthesia care.

G. A certified registered nurse anesthetist licensed by the board shall maintain this certification with the American association of nurse anesthetists' council on certification.