New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVI,
Issue 24 / December 23, 2025
This is an amendment to 16.12.1 NMAC, Sections 7 and 8
effective 1/1/2026.
16.12.1.7 DEFINITIONS:
[A. Definitions beginning with the letter
A:
(1) “administration of medications”, means a
process whereby a prescribed drug or biological agent is given to a
patient/client by a person licensed or certified by the board to administer
medications;
(2) “advanced
practice registered nurse”, (APRN), means the practice of professional
registered nursing by a registered nurse who has been prepared through
additional formal education as provided in Sections 61-3-23.2 through 61-3-23.4
NMSA 1978 to function beyond the scope of practice of professional registered
nursing, including certified nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse
anesthetists and clinical nurse specialists;
(3) “anesthetics”,
means a substance that causes entire or partial loss of the feeling of
pain, temperature, or other sensations with or without the loss of
consciousness to induce a state of anesthesia.
Anesthetics have no reversal agents and may impair ventilatory and
cardiovascular function. This definition
does not apply to local or topical anesthetics.
B. Definitions beginning with the
letter B: “board” means the New Mexico
board of nursing.
C. Definitions beginning with the
letter C:
(1) “certificate”, means a legal document granting permission to an
unlicensed person to perform specific functions considered the practice of
nursing;
(2) “certificate of completion”, means a piece of paper or diploma awarded
after the completion of an educational or vocational training. A certificate of attendance or completion
does not convey mastery and is often followed by clinical demonstration to
confirm knowledge transfer; the presence of a certificate alone does not mean
certification or certified.
(3) “certification”, means approving a professional for their
eligibility for a role by an authority; it is evidence of mastery of knowledge
and skills, such as national standards, by passing an exam or meeting industry
standards; it requires ongoing continuing education and demonstration of
competence in the specialty field; a licensee with a certification can be said
to be certified.
(4) “CEU”,
is the abbreviation for continuing education unit;
(5) “CHT”, is the abbreviation for certified
hemodialysis technician;
(6) “CMA”, is the abbreviation for certified
medication aide;
(7) “client”, means any person domiciled, residing,
or receiving care, service or treatment from a licensed nurse, licensed
lactation care provider, or certified unlicensed assistive person. This includes but is not limited to patients,
residents, or consumers;
(8) “competency”,
competency in nursing is 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;
(9) “contact hour”, means the unit of measurement
describing an approved and organized learning experience equivalent to 60 clock
minutes;
(10) “continuing education”, means planned learning
experiences beyond a basic nursing education program. These experiences are designed to promote the
development of knowledge, skills and attitudes for the enhancement of nursing
practice, thus improving health care to the public;
(11) “continuing education unit”, means 10
contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience
under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction;
(12) “coordinated
licensure information system”, means an integrated process for collecting,
storing and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities
related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit
organization composed of and controlled by licensing boards.
D. Definitions beginning with the
letter D: “delegation”, means the act of
transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a selected
nursing task in a selected situation.
The nurse retains accountability of the delegation.
E. Definitions beginning with the
letter E:
(1) “educational institution”,
means an institution within the educational system which is organized and
accredited for teaching and study (university, high school, post-secondary,
approved area vocational institution);
(2) “engaged in nursing”, means being
employed, engaged, or holding a position which requires licensure or in
which the maintenance of licensure as a nurse is expected;
(3) “expedited
license”, whether by examination, endorsement, credential or reciprocity,
means a license issued to a person in this state based on licensure in another
state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or a foreign
country, as applicable, pursuant to the Uniform Licensing Act and the Nursing
Practice Act.
F. Definitions beginning with the
letter F: [RESERVED]
G. Definitions beginning with the
letter G:
(1) “good
standing”, means a license or registration is active and not expired,
suspended, revoked, surrendered, conditioned, or otherwise in a status that in
any manner restricts the activity of a licensee or registrant under the
authority of the license or registration.
(2) “guardian”, means someone
other than a patient, including an agent, surrogate or guardian, authorized to
make health-care decisions for the patient under the uniform health-care
decisions act or other applicable law;
H. Definitions beginning with the
letter H: [RESERVED]
I. Definitions
beginning with the letter I: “initial
license”, means the first regular license received from a board for a
person who has not been previously licensed;
J. Definitions beginning with the
letter J: “jurisdiction”, the licensure or
regulatory authoritative body for nursing within a specific geographic area for
which there is endorsement in New Mexico.
K. Definitions beginning with the letter K: [RESERVED]
L. Definitions beginning with the
letter L:
(1) “lapsed status”, means a
license which was not renewed by the expiration date on the license;
(2) “letter of authorization”, a
document issued by the board which authorizes an individual to practice nursing
in New Mexico under the auspices of an approved preceptorship for an advanced
nursing expanded scope of practice prescriptive authority or for an advanced
practice nurse from a compact state;
(3) “license”, means a legal document granting permission
to a person to perform specific functions considered the practice of nursing or
other activity regulated by the board, which may also include a certificate or
other type of authorization.
M. Definitions beginning with the letter
M: “monitoring system”, a mechanism
whereby programs may be approved for CE hours within a geographic area.
N. Definitions beginning with the
letter N:
(1) “national licensing examination”, means the
examination for licensure as provided by the national council of state boards
of nursing, inc.;
(2) “National practitioner data bank”, means the
database operated by the U.S. department of health and human services that
contains medical malpractice payment and adverse action reports on health care
professionals;
O. Definitions beginning with the letter O: [RESERVED]
P. Definitions beginning with the
letter P:
(1) “permit-to-practice”, a
document conferring the privilege to practice at a specific place of
employment, under the direct supervision of a licensed RN, APRN, physician,
osteopathic physician, dentist, or podiatrist; such permits will carry set
expiration dates, are not renewable and are not transferable;
(2) “preceptor”, an individual at or above
the level of licensure that an assigned student is seeking, who may serve as a
teacher, mentor, role model or supervisor in a clinical setting;
(3) “prescriptive authority”, means the
authority under state and federal law to prescribe, administer, monitor or
modify dangerous drug therapy.
Q. Definitions beginning with the
letter Q: [RESERVED]
R. Definitions beginning with the
letter R:
(1) “reactivation”, means the
process of making active an existing license which has lapsed or is otherwise
inactive;
(2) “refresher course”, means a formal
program that has both didactic and clinical components designed to prepare a
nurse who has been out of practice to re-enter the profession;
(3) “reinstatement”, means the
process whereby a license which has been subject to revocation or suspension,
is returned to its former status by board action, which may require filing of a
form and payment of a reinstatement fee;
(4) “relicensure”,
the process of renewal, reactivation or reinstatement of a New Mexico nursing
license.
S. Definitions beginning with the
letter S:
(1) “sedation”, means the
administration of medications to produce various levels of calmness,
relaxation, or sleep. The various levels
include:
(a) “Minimum sedation/anxiolysis,”
means a drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal
commands, may have impaired cognitive function or coordination but respiratory
and cardiovascular functions remain stable:
(b) “Moderate sedation/analgesia (also
known as conscious sedation),” means a drug-induced depression of
consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands,
either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent
airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually
maintained:
(i) “deep
sedation,” means a drug-induced depression of consciousness, during which a
patient cannot be easily aroused but responds purposefully, following repeated
or painful stimulation. While
cardiovascular function is usually maintained, the ability to independently
maintain respiratory function may be impaired.
Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and
spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate resulting in intubation and
mechanical ventilation. Reflex
withdrawal from a painful stimulus is not considered a purposeful
response;
(ii) “general anesthesia,” means a
drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable,
even by painful stimulation. General
anesthesia affects the patient’s ability to maintain an adequate airway and
respiratory function, and may impair cardiovascular function;
(iii) “palliative sedation,” means the
monitored use of medications at end of life intended to provide relief of
intolerable and refractory symptoms but not to intentionally hasten death. A refractory symptom is one that cannot be
controlled in a tolerable time frame despite use of therapies and seems
unlikely to be controlled by further therapies without excessive or intolerable
acute or chronic side effects/complications.
(2) “successful completion”, means
the completion of all required courses with a passing letter grade of “C” or
higher, course with pass or fail must have a “pass” for successful completion;
(3) “supervision/direction”, 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.
T. Definitions
beginning with the letter T: “temporary license”, a
non-renewable, non-transferable document indicating a legal privilege to
practice as a RN, LPN, CNP, CNS or CRNA, on a conditional basis for a specific
period of time.
U. Definitions beginning with the
letter U:
(1) “unencumbered”, means the absence of a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation
on, the full and unrestricted practice of nursing imposed by a licensing board;
(2) “unlicensed
assistive personnel”, (UAP) means unlicensed
support staff that registered nurse may appropriately delegate tasks to, such
as a nursing assistant, nurse technician, or medical assistant.
V. Definitions beginning with the
letter V: “valid practitioner-patient
relationship”, means a professional
relationship between the practitioner and the patient for the purpose of
maintaining the patient’s well-being. At
minimum, this relationship is an interactive encounter between the practitioner
and patient involving an appropriate history and physical or mental
examination, ordering labs or diagnostic tests sufficient to make a diagnosis
and providing, prescribing or recommending treatment, or referring to other
health care providers. A patient record
must be generated by the encounter.
W. Definitions beginning with the letter
W: [RESERVED]
X. Definitions beginning with the
letter X: [RESERVED]
Y. Definitions beginning with the
letter Y: [RESERVED]
Z. Definitions beginning with the
letter Z: [RESERVED]
A. Definitions beginning with the
letter A:
(1) “administration of medications”, means a
process whereby a prescribed drug or biological agent is given to a
patient/client by a person licensed or certified by the board to administer
medications;
(2) “advanced practice”, means the
practice of professional registered nursing by a registered nurse who has been
prepared through additional formal education as provided in Sections 61-3-23.2
through 61-3-23.4 NMSA 1978 to function beyond the scope of practice of
professional registered nursing, including certified nurse practitioners,
certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified clinical nurse
specialists;
(3) “advanced practice registered nurse”,
(APRN), means a certified nurse
practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified clinical
nurse specialists licensed pursuant to the Nursing Practice Act;
(4) “anesthetics”,
means a substance that causes entire or partial loss of the feeling of
pain, temperature, or other sensations with or without the loss of
consciousness to induce a state of anesthesia.
Anesthetics have no reversal agents and may impair ventilatory and
cardiovascular function. This definition
does not apply to local or topical anesthetics.
(5) “artificial intelligence”, means
a broad category of existing, emerging, and future digital technologies that
involved using algorithms to drive the behavior of agents, such as software
programs, machines, and robotics. An
artificial intelligence system shall not be labeled as or referred to as a
nurse. The presence of AI will not be
included as a factor in nurse staffing calculations.
(6) “affidavit”, a sworn written
statement made to affirm a statement of fact;
(7) “approval”, the review and
acceptance of a specific activity;
(8) “approval agency”, agency,
institution or organization with the authorization to award CE credit;
(9) “approved
equivalent”, a program reviewed and accepted by the board of nursing
as meeting necessary regulatory/statutory requirements;
(10) “assessment”,
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);
(11) “assignment
of nursing activity”, assignment of nursing activity involves
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);
(12) “audit”,
an examination and verification of CE and practice documents.
B. Definitions beginning with the
letter B:
(1) “basic nursing
education”,
the scholastic route to initial licensure;
(2) “board”,
the New Mexico board of nursing.
C. Definitions beginning with the
letter C:
(1) “certificate”, means a legal document granting permission to an
unlicensed person to perform specific functions considered the practice of
nursing;
(2) “certificate of completion”, means a piece of paper or diploma awarded
after the completion of an educational or vocational training. A certificate of attendance or completion
does not convey mastery and is often followed by clinical demonstration to
confirm knowledge transfer; the presence of a certificate alone does not mean
certification or certified.
(3) “certification”, means approving a
professional for their eligibility for a role by an authority; it is evidence
of mastery of knowledge and skills, such as national standards, by passing an
exam or meeting industry standards; it requires ongoing continuing education
and demonstration of competence in the specialty field; a licensee with a
certification can be said to be certified.
(4) “CEU”,
is the abbreviation for continuing
education unit;
(5) “CHT”, is the abbreviation for certified
hemodialysis technician;
(6) “CMA”, is the abbreviation for certified
medication aide;
(7) “client”, means any person domiciled, residing,
or receiving care, service or treatment from a licensed nurse, licensed
lactation care provider, or certified unlicensed assistive person. This includes but is not limited to patients,
residents, or consumers;
(8) “collaboration”, practice in
conjunction with another health professional;
(9) “competency”,
competency in nursing is 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;
(10) “consultation”, to communicate
regularly to set goals and objectives and to review and document outcomes;
(11) “contact hour”, means the unit of measurement
describing an approved and organized learning experience equivalent to 60 clock
minutes;
(12) “continuing education”, means planned learning
experiences beyond a basic nursing education program. These experiences are designed to promote the
development of knowledge, skills and attitudes for the enhancement of nursing
practice, thus improving health care to the public;
(13) “continuing education unit”, means 10
contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience
under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction;
(14) “coordinated
licensure information system”, means an integrated process for collecting,
storing and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities
related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit
organization composed of and controlled by licensing boards.
D. Definitions beginning with the
letter D:
(1) “data collection”, 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;
(2) “delegation”,
the transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a selected
nursing task in a selected situation.
The nurse retains accountability of the delegation;
(3) “department
of public safety”, the New Mexico department of public safety or
other state’s department of public safety;
(4) “dependent practice” for a
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) means the LPN is authorized to practice when the
practice is directed by a registered nurse or heath care provider authorized to
practice in this state (RN, APRN, MD/DO, DDS, or PA in their role as physician
extender);
(5) “direct supervision for graduate
permit holders”, at a minimum, the person responsible for the direct
supervision must be in the facility or on the unit with the graduate permit
holder observing, directing and evaluating the performance of the permit
holder; the supervisor must not be engaged in other activities that would
prevent them from providing direct supervision.
(6) “delegation”, means the act of
transferring to a competent individual the authority to perform a selected
nursing task in a selected situation.
The nurse retains accountability of the delegation.
E. Definitions beginning with the
letter E:
(1) “educational institution”,
means an institution within the educational system which is organized and
accredited for teaching and study (university, high school, post-secondary,
approved area vocational institution);
(2) “eligible for graduation”,
individual who has met all the requirements of an educational program.
(3) “encumbered”, means any current
form of discipline against a license or certificate that restricts the ability
to practice, including but not limited to, fine, probation, suspension,
revocation, condition or limitation on the license or certificate; ;
(4) “engaged in nursing”, means being
employed, engaged, or holding a position which requires licensure or in
which the maintenance of licensure as a nurse is expected;
(5) “expedited
license”, whether by examination, endorsement, credential or reciprocity,
means a license issued to a person in this state based on licensure in another
state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or a foreign
country, as applicable, pursuant to the Uniform Licensing Act and the Nursing
Practice Act.
F. Definitions beginning with the
letter F: “Final transcript”, an official record of course work and
grades, issued by a school, which indicates date of program completion and
certificate or degree awarded.
G. Definitions beginning with the
letter G:
(1) “gender identity”, means a person’s self-perception, based on the person’s appearance,
behavior or physical characteristics, that the person exhibits more masculinity
of femininity whether or not it matches the person’s gender or sex assigned at
birth.
[(1)]
(2) “good
standing”, means a license or registration is active and not expired,
suspended, revoked, surrendered, conditioned, or otherwise in a status that in
any manner restricts the activity of a licensee or registrant under the
authority of the license or registration.
[(2)] (3) “guardian”, means someone
other than a patient, including an agent, surrogate or guardian, authorized to
make health-care decisions for the patient under the uniform health-care
decisions act or other applicable law;
H. Definitions beginning with the letter H: “Health care work force data collection”, an electronic
survey, designed to be completed by applicants for licensure or renewal, which
includes questions regarding a core essential data set.
I. Definitions
beginning with the letter I:
(1) “independent
practice”, for a registered nurse (RN) means proving nursing
services autonomously, without direct supervision from a physician or other
healthcare provider, within the legal scope of practice;
(2) “inactive list”, compilation
of those licenses that are in good standing but not current;
(3) “initial license”, the process of
achieving the legal privilege to practice within a professional category upon
the completion of all educational requirements and the successful writing of
the national licensing examination;
J. Definitions beginning with the letter J: “jurisdiction”, the licensure or
regulatory authoritative body for nursing within a specific geographic area for
which there is endorsement in New Mexico.
K. Definitions beginning with the letter K: [RESERVED]
L. Definitions beginning with the
letter L:
(1) “lapsed status”, means a
license which was not renewed by the expiration date on the license;
(2) “letter of authorization”, a
document issued by the board which authorizes an individual to practice nursing
in New Mexico under the auspices of an approved preceptorship for an advanced
nursing expanded scope of practice prescriptive authority or for an advanced
practice nurse from a compact state;
(3) “license”, means a legal document granting permission
to a person to perform specific functions considered the practice of nursing or
other activity regulated by the board, which may also include a certificate or
other type of authorization.
(4) “licensure
by endorsement”, the process of achieving the legal privilege to practice
within a professional category, in New Mexico, by individuals licensed in other
jurisdictions, upon fulfilling all requirements set by this state.
(5) “licensed provider”, means an
individual who has the authority to order medications, treatments, therapies,
and procedures in their scope of practice and includes certified clinical nurse
specialist (CCNS), certified nurse practitioner (CNP), certified registered
nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified nurse midwife (CNM), medical doctor (MD),
doctor of osteopathy (DO), doctor of dental Surgery (DDS), doctor of dental
medicine (DMD) and physician assistant (PA);
M. Definitions beginning with the letter
M:
(1) “medical emergency”, a
situation resulting from a disaster in which the number of persons requiring
nursing care exceeds the availability of New Mexico registered nurses or
licensed practical nurses;
(2) “monitoring system”, a
mechanism whereby programs may be approved for CE hours within a geographic
area;
(3) “must”, a requirement.
N. Definitions beginning with the
letter N:
(1) “national licensing examination”, means the
examination for licensure as provided by the national council of state boards
of nursing, inc.;
(2) “nationwide
criminal history record”, information concerning a person’s arrests,
indictments or other formal criminal charges and any dispositions arising there
from, including convictions, dismissals, acquittals, sentencing and
correctional supervision, collected by criminal justice agencies and stored in
the computerized databases of the federal bureau of investigation, the national
law enforcement telecommunications systems, the department of public safety or
the repositories of criminal history information of other states;
(3) “nationwide
criminal history screening”, a criminal history background
investigation of an applicant for licensure by examination or endorsement
through the use of fingerprints reviewed by the department of public safety and
submitted to the federal bureau of investigation, resulting in the generation
of a nationwide criminal history record for that applicant.
[(2)] (4) “National practitioner data bank”, means the
database operated by the U.S. department of health and human services that
contains medical malpractice payment and adverse action reports on health care
professionals;
O. Definitions beginning with the letter O: [RESERVED]
P. Definitions beginning with the
letter P:
(1) “permit-to-practice”, a
document conferring the privilege to practice at a specific place of
employment, under the direct supervision of a licensed RN, APRN, physician,
osteopathic physician, dentist, or podiatrist; such permits will carry set
expiration dates, are not renewable and are not transferable;
(2) “permit-to-practice for GCNSs”,
a document conferring the privilege to practice as a graduate clinical nurse
specialist, at a specific place of employment, under the direct supervision of
a licensed provider in New Mexico as a member of the health care team; such permits will carry set expiration dates,
are not renewable and are not transferable;
(3) “permit-to-practice for GNs and
GPNs”, a document conferring the privilege to practice nursing at a
specific place of employment, under direct supervision of a RN only; such
permits will carry set expiration dates, are not renewable or transferable;
(4) “permit-to-practice for GNPs”,
a document conferring the privilege to practice as a graduate nurse
practitioner, at a specific place of employment, under the direct supervision
of a licensed provider in New Mexico as a member of the health care team; such
permit will carry set expiration dates, are not renewable and are not
transferable;
(5) “permit-to-practice for GRNAs”,
a document conferring the privilege to administer anesthesia to any person, as
a GRNA, at a specific place of employment, functioning in an interdependent
role under the direction of and in collaboration with a licensed provider in
New Mexico; such permits will carry set expiration dates, and are not renewable
or transferable;
(6) “post-graduate program”, any
specialized knowledge and skills sought after completion of a basic nursing
educational program which does not necessarily lead to an advanced degree;
(7) “prescriptive
authority”, means the authority under state and federal law to prescribe,
administer, monitor or modify dangerous drug therapy.
(8) “private
practice”, employment status of an individual nurse who is
self-employed.
Q. Definitions beginning with the
letter Q: [RESERVED]
R. Definitions beginning with the
letter R:
(1) “reactivation”, means the
process of making active an existing license which has lapsed or is otherwise
inactive;
(2) “recognized national or state
institutions/organizations”, institutions and organizations recognized
as providers of CE for nurses;
(3) “refresher course”, means a formal
program that has both didactic and clinical components designed to prepare a
nurse who has been out of practice to re-enter the profession;
(4) “reinstatement”,
means the process whereby a license which has been subject to revocation or
suspension, is returned to its former status by board action, which may require
filing of a form and payment of a reinstatement fee;
(5) “relicensure”, the process of renewal, reactivation or
reinstatement of a New Mexico nursing license.
S. Definitions beginning with the
letter S:
(1) “sedation”, means the
administration of medications to produce various levels of calmness,
relaxation, or sleep. The various levels
include:
(a) “Minimum sedation/anxiolysis,”
means a drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal
commands, may have impaired cognitive function or coordination but respiratory
and cardiovascular functions remain stable:
(b) “Moderate sedation/analgesia (also
known as conscious sedation),” means a drug-induced depression of
consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands,
either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent
airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually
maintained:
(i) “deep
sedation,” means a drug-induced depression of consciousness, during which a
patient cannot be easily aroused but responds purposefully, following repeated
or painful stimulation. While
cardiovascular function is usually maintained, the ability to independently
maintain respiratory function may be impaired.
Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and
spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate resulting in intubation and
mechanical ventilation. Reflex
withdrawal from a painful stimulus is not considered a purposeful
response;
(ii) “general anesthesia,” means a
drug-induced loss of consciousness during which patients are not arousable,
even by painful stimulation. General
anesthesia affects the patient’s ability to maintain an adequate airway and
respiratory function, and may impair cardiovascular function;
(iii) “palliative sedation,” means the
monitored use of medications at end of life intended to provide relief of
intolerable and refractory symptoms but not to intentionally hasten death. A refractory symptom is one that cannot be
controlled in a tolerable time frame despite use of therapies and seems
unlikely to be controlled by further therapies without excessive or intolerable
acute or chronic side effects/complications.
(2) “sexual orientation”, means a
person’s physical, romantic or emotional attraction to persons of the same or
different gender or the absence of any such attraction.
(3) “shall”,
mandatory; a requirement;
(4) “should”, a suggestion or
recommendation; not a requirement;
(5) “sponsor/provider”, any
person, organization, agency, or institution which organizes, develops,
implements, and evaluates a CE activity;
(6) “state approved program”, a
basic nursing education program approved or accredited by a state board of
nursing or a nationally recognized nursing education accreditation body;
(7) “successful completion”, means
the completion of all required courses with a passing letter grade of “C” or
higher, course with pass or fail must have a “pass” for successful completion;
(8) “supervision/direction”, 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.
T. Definitions
beginning with the letter T: “temporary license”, a
non-renewable, non-transferable document indicating a legal privilege to
practice as a RN, LPN, CNP, CNS or CRNA, on a conditional basis for a specific
period of time.
U. Definitions beginning with the
letter U:
(1) “unencumbered”, means the absence of a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation
on, the full and unrestricted practice of nursing imposed by a licensing board;
(2) “unlicensed
assistive personnel”, (UAP) means unlicensed
support staff that registered nurse may appropriately delegate tasks to, such
as a nursing assistant, nurse technician, or medical assistant:
(3) “Uniform Licensing Act”, New Mexico
statute which provides procedures to be utilized in disciplinary proceedings.
V. Definitions beginning with the
letter V: “valid practitioner-patient
relationship”, means a professional
relationship between the practitioner and the patient for the purpose of
maintaining the patient’s well-being. At
minimum, this relationship is an interactive encounter between the practitioner
and patient involving an appropriate history and physical or mental
examination, ordering labs or diagnostic tests sufficient to make a diagnosis
and providing, prescribing or recommending treatment, or referring to other
health care providers. A patient record
must be generated by the encounter.
W. Definitions beginning with the letter
W: [RESERVED]
X. Definitions beginning with the
letter X: [RESERVED]
Y. Definitions beginning with the
letter Y: [RESERVED]
Z. Definitions beginning with the
letter Z: [RESERVED]
[16.12.1.7 NMAC - Rp, 16.12.1.7 NMAC, 12/13/2022, A,
5/21/2024; A, 1/1/2026]
16.12.1.8 GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATONS:
A. APRN: Advanced practice registered nurse (i.e. CNP,
CNS, CRNA);
B. CE: Continuing
education;
C. CHT: Certified hemodialysis technician;
D. CMA: Certified medication aide;
E. CNP:
Certified nurse practitioner;
F. [CNS] CCNS: Certified Clinical nurse specialist;
G. COA: Council on accreditation of nurse anesthesia
educational program;
H. CRNA: Certified
registered nurse anesthetist;
I. DNP: Doctor of nursing practice;
J. GCNS: Graduate
clinical nurse specialist;
K. GN: Graduate
nurse;
L. GNP: Graduate
nurse practitioner;
M. GPN: Graduate practical nurse;
N. GRNA: Graduate
registered nurse anesthetist;
O. LPN: Licensed
practical nurse;
P. MN: Master’s in
nursing;
Q. MSN: Master of science in nursing;
R. NBCRNA: National board on certification &
recertification of nurse anesthetists;
S. NCLEX-RN/PN:
National council licensing examination - RN/PN;
T. NCSBN: National council of state boards of nursing;
U. NLNAC: National league for nursing accrediting
commission;
V. NMSA: New
Mexico statutes annotated;
W. NPA: Nursing Practice Act;
X. RN: Registered
nurse;
Y. ULA: Uniform
Licensing Act.
[16.12.1.7 NMAC - Rp, 16.12.1.7 NMAC, 12/13/2022, A;
5/21/2024; A, 1/1/2026]