N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-17A.2
The following words and terms, as used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
"Direct patient care" means clinical care services provided directly to patients by a registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, physical therapist, respiratory care practitioner and/or unlicensed assistive personnel.
"Number of staff" means the number of registered professional nurses, licensed practical nurses, and unlicensed assistive personnel who provide and are directly responsible for patient care on a particular shift, which is calculated by dividing the total number of hours worked by each category of staff member by the number of hours in the shift.
1. Hours worked includes the actual hours worked by any staff in this definition that were present during any portion of the shift.
"Shift" means a standardized reporting period, which, for inpatient units, shall consist, at the hospital's choice, of either three eight-hour periods (day, evening, and night) or two 12-hour periods (day and night); and for the emergency department, post-anesthesia care unit, and other licensed health care professionals, shall consist of one 24-hour period.
"Staffing information" means the number of staff, the number of patients present, and the ratio of the former to the latter.
N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-17A.2