Section 172-99-002 - DEFINITIONSDefinitions are set out in the Nurse Practice Act, the Uniform Credentialing Act, 172 Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) 10, and this chapter.
002.01ACCOUNTABLITY. The licensed nurse is responsible and answerable for decisions and action or inaction of self or others, and for the resultant consumer outcomes related to decisions and action or inaction. 002.01(A)UNLICENSED PERSON ACCOUNTABLITY. The unlicensed person is responsible and answerable for the action or inaction of self.002.02ASSESSMENT. A systematic evaluation of the consumer's condition and response to the therapy.002.03ASSIGNMENT. A licensed nurse appoints or designates another person the responsibility for performance of nursing interventions. Assignments are made to individuals who already have authority to provide nursing interventions either through licensure as a nurse or through delegation from a registered nurse. Assignment is not the transfer authority.002.04ASSIST. To provide aid or support in the performance of an activity.002.05AUTHORITY. The legal authority to provide nursing care granted through licensure as a registered nurse, licensure as a practical nurse, or through delegation from a registered nurse.002.06AUXILIARY PATIENT CARE SERVICES. Care provided by persons authorized, assigned or directed by licensed nurses or licensed practitioners in support of that professional's practice.002.07COMPETENCE. A state or quality of being competent or capable as a result of having the required knowledge, skills, and ability. 002.07(A)LICENSED NURSE COMPETENCE. The ability of the nurse to apply interpersonal, technical and decision-making skills at the level of knowledge consistent with the prevailing standard for the nurse's current nursing practice role.002.07(B)UNLICENSED PERSON COMPETENCE. The ability of the unlicensed person to: (i) Utilize effective communication;(ii) Collect basic objective and subjective data;(iii) Perform selected non-complex nursing interventions safely, accurately, and according to standard procedures; and(iv) Seek guidance and direction when appropriate.002.08COUNSELING. The process of helping a consumer to recognize and cope with stressful psychological or social problems, to develop improved interpersonal relationships, and to promote personal growth. Counseling includes analysis of a situation, synthesis of information and experiences, and evaluation of the progress and productivity of consumers002.09DELEGATION. The transference of authority, responsibility, and accountability to perform nursing interventions from one individual to another. 002.09(A)DELEGATION BY A REGISTERED NURSE. The transference of authority, responsibility, and accountability from a registered nurse to the unlicensed person to provide select non-complex nursing interventions on behalf of a registered nurse.002.09(B) DELEGATION DECISION. Includes determining which nursing interventions may be delegated, selecting which unlicensed persons may provide the delegated interventions, determining the degree of detail and method to be used to communicate the delegation plan, and selecting a method of evaluation and supervision.002.10DIRECTION. The provision of guidance and supervision by a licensed nurse or licensed practitioner who is responsible to manage the provision of nursing interventions by another licensed or unlicensed person.002.11EMPLOYER GUIDELINES. Organizational policies or procedures that clearly delineate standards of care, job or role descriptions, and other work or care related guidelines.002.12LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL. An individual who holds an active license to practice a defined scope of practice.002.13NURSING CARE. The application of the nursing process to individuals, families, and groups which results in the performance of any act expressing judgment or skill based upon principles of the biological, physical, behavioral, and nursing sciences as defined through rules promulgated by the Board of Nursing in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-2216.002.14NURSING INTERVENTION. The initiation and completion of consumer focused actions necessary to accomplish the goals defined in the plan of care. 002.14(A)COMPLEX NURSING INTERVENTIONS. Nursing interventions that require nursing judgment to safely alter standard procedures in accordance with the needs of the individual; or require nursing judgment to determine how to proceed from one step to the next; or require the multi-dimensional application of the nursing process.002.14(B) NON-COMPLEX NURSING INTERVENTIONS. Nursing interventions which can be safely performed according to exact directions, do not require alternation of the standard procedure, and for which the results and consumer responses are predictable.002.15NURSING PROCESS. A scientific method used by licensed nurses to ensure the quality of consumer care which includes assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation.002.16PROTOCOL. A written, step by step process or algorithm that is created and approved by a registered nurse or licensed practitioner that guides subjective and objective data collection, and defines interventions based upon collected data.002.17STABLE OR PREDICTABLE. A situation where the individual's clinical and behavioral status and nursing care needs are determined by a registered nurse or licensed practitioner to be non-fluctuating and consistent or where the fluctuations are expected and the interventions are planned, including those individuals whose deteriorating condition is expected.002.18SUPERVISION.The provision of oversight, which includes maintaining accountability to determine whether or not nursing care is adequate and delivered appropriately.
002.18(A)DIRECT SUPERVISION. The responsible licensed nurse or licensed practitioner is physically present in the clinical area and is available to assess, evaluate or respond immediately.002.18(B)INDIRECT SUPERVISION. The responsible licensed nurse or licensed practitioner is available through telecommunication or periodically for direct inspection and evaluation for direction, consultation and collaboration.002.19UNLICENSED PERSON. A person who does not have a license to practice nursing and who functions in an assistant or subordinate role to the licensed nurse. Unlicensed persons receive authority to provide selected non-complex nursing interventions through delegation from a registered nurse.172 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 99, § 002
Amended effective 10/5/2020