Effective - 28 Aug 2008
335.016. Definitions. — As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following words and terms mean:
(1) "Accredited", the official authorization or status granted by an agency for a program through a voluntary process;
(2) "Advanced practice registered nurse", a nurse who has education beyond the basic nursing education and is certified by a nationally recognized professional organization as a certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or a certified clinical nurse specialist. The board shall promulgate rules specifying which nationally recognized professional organization certifications are to be recognized for the purposes of this section. Advanced practice nurses and only such individuals may use the title "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse" and the abbreviation "APRN";
(3) "Approval", official recognition of nursing education programs which meet standards established by the board of nursing;
(4) "Board" or "state board", the state board of nursing;
(5) "Certified clinical nurse specialist", a registered nurse who is currently certified as a clinical nurse specialist by a nationally recognized certifying board approved by the board of nursing;
(6) "Certified nurse midwife", a registered nurse who is currently certified as a nurse midwife by the American College of Nurse Midwives, or other nationally recognized certifying body approved by the board of nursing;
(7) "Certified nurse practitioner", a registered nurse who is currently certified as a nurse practitioner by a nationally recognized certifying body approved by the board of nursing;
(8) "Certified registered nurse anesthetist", a registered nurse who is currently certified as a nurse anesthetist by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, or other nationally recognized certifying body approved by the board of nursing;
(9) "Executive director", a qualified individual employed by the board as executive secretary or otherwise to administer the provisions of this chapter under the board's direction. Such person employed as executive director shall not be a member of the board;
(10) "Inactive nurse", as defined by rule pursuant to section 335.061;
(11) "Lapsed license status", as defined by rule under section 335.061;
(12) "Licensed practical nurse" or "practical nurse", a person licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter to engage in the practice of practical nursing;
(13) "Licensure", the issuing of a license to practice professional or practical nursing to candidates who have met the specified requirements and the recording of the names of those persons as holders of a license to practice professional or practical nursing;
(14) "Practical nursing", the performance for compensation of selected acts for the promotion of health and in the care of persons who are ill, injured, or experiencing alterations in normal health processes. Such performance requires substantial specialized skill, judgment and knowledge. All such nursing care shall be given under the direction of a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments or under the direction of a registered professional nurse. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "direction" shall mean guidance or supervision provided by a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments or a registered professional nurse, including, but not limited to, oral, written, or otherwise communicated orders or directives for patient care. When practical nursing care is delivered pursuant to the direction of a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments or under the direction of a registered professional nurse, such care may be delivered by a licensed practical nurse without direct physical oversight;
(15) "Professional nursing", the performance for compensation of any act which requires substantial specialized education, judgment and skill based on knowledge and application of principles derived from the biological, physical, social and nursing sciences, including, but not limited to:
(a) Responsibility for the teaching of health care and the prevention of illness to the patient and his or her family;
(b) Assessment, nursing diagnosis, nursing care, and counsel of persons who are ill, injured or experiencing alterations in normal health processes;
(c) The administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by a person licensed by a state regulatory board to prescribe medications and treatments;
(d) The coordination and assistance in the delivery of a plan of health care with all members of a health team;
(e) The teaching and supervision of other persons in the performance of any of the foregoing;
(16) A "registered professional nurse" or "registered nurse", a person licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter to engage in the practice of professional nursing;
(17) "Retired license status", any person licensed in this state under this chapter who retires from such practice. Such person shall file with the board an affidavit, on a form to be furnished by the board, which states the date on which the licensee retired from such practice, an intent to retire from the practice for at least two years, and such other facts as tend to verify the retirement as the board may deem necessary; but if the licensee thereafter reengages in the practice, the licensee shall renew his or her license with the board as provided by this chapter and by rule and regulation.
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(L. 1975 S.B. 108 § 2, A.L. 1993 H.B. 564, A.L. 1995 S.B. 452, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343, A.L. 2002 H.B. 1600, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1122, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308, A.L. 2008 S.B. 724)
(1993) It is the public policy of Missouri that registered nurses licensed in this state have an obligation to faithfully serve the best interests of their patients. The Nurses Practices Act and regulations thereunder set forth a clear mandate of public policy that a nurse not "stay out" of a dying patient's improper treatment. Grant of summary judgment based on finding that there was no public-policy exception to employment-at-will doctrine was not proper. Kirk v. Mercy Hospital Tri-County, 851 S.W.2d 617 (Mo. App. S.D.).