Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 73 - PROFESSIONS AND VOCATIONS (§§ 73-1-1 — 73-79-1) › Chapter 15 - NURSES (§§ 73-15-1 — 73-15-202) › Article 1 - REGULATION OF PRACTICE OF NURSING (§§ 73-15-1 — 73-15-37) › Section 73-15-5 - Definitions

(1)
"Board" means the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
(2)
The "practice of nursing" by a registered nurse means the performance for compensation of services which requires substantial knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences and of nursing theory as the basis for assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation in the promotion and maintenance of health; management of individuals' responses to illness, injury or infirmity; the restoration of optimum function; or the achievement of a dignified death. "Nursing practice" includes, but is not limited to, administration, teaching, counseling, delegation and supervision of nursing, and execution of the medical regimen, including the administration of medications and treatments prescribed by any licensed or legally authorized physician or dentist. The foregoing shall not be deemed to include acts of medical diagnosis or prescriptions of medical, therapeutic or corrective measures, except as may be set forth by rules and regulations promulgated and implemented by the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
(3)
"Clinical nurse specialist practice" by a certified clinical nurse specialist means the delivery of advanced practice nursing care to individuals or groups using advanced diagnostic and assessment skills to manage and improve the health status of individuals and families; diagnose human responses to actual or potential health problems; plan for health promotion, disease prevention, and therapeutic intervention in collaboration with the patient or client; implement therapeutic interventions based on the nurse specialist's area of expertise and within the scope of advanced nursing practice, including, but not limited to, direct patient care, counseling, teaching, collaboration with other licensed health care providers; and, coordination of health care as necessary and appropriate and evaluation of the effectiveness of care.
(4)
"Advanced nursing practice" means, in addition to the practice of professional nursing, the performance of advanced-level nursing approved by the board which, by virtue of graduate education and experience are appropriately performed by an advanced practice registered nurse. The advanced practice registered nurse may diagnose, treat and manage medical conditions. This may include prescriptive authority as identified by the board. Advanced practice registered nurses must practice in a collaborative/consultative relationship with a physician or dentist with an unrestricted license to practice in the State of Mississippi and advanced nursing must be performed within the framework of a standing protocol or practice guidelines, as appropriate.
(5)
The "practice of nursing" by a licensed practical nurse means the performance for compensation of services requiring basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences and of nursing procedures which do not require the substantial skill, judgment and knowledge required of a registered nurse. These services are performed under the direction of a registered nurse or a licensed physician or licensed dentist and utilize standardized procedures in the observation and care of the ill, injured and infirm; in the maintenance of health; in action to safeguard life and health; and in the administration of medications and treatments prescribed by any licensed physician or licensed dentist authorized by state law to prescribe. On a selected basis, and within safe limits, the role of the licensed practical nurse shall be expanded by the board under its rule-making authority to more complex procedures and settings commensurate with additional preparation and experience.
(6)
A "license" means an authorization to practice nursing as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse designated herein.
(7)
A "registered nurse" is a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under the provisions of this article and who practices nursing as defined herein. "RN" is the abbreviation for the title of Registered Nurse.
(8)
A "licensed practical nurse" is a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under this article and who practices practical nursing as defined herein. "LPN" is the abbreviation for the title of Licensed Practical Nurse.
(9)
A "registered nurse in clinical practice" is one who functions in any health care delivery system which provides nursing services.
(10)
A "clinical nurse specialist" is a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under this article in this state to practice professional nursing and who in this state practices advanced nursing as defined herein. "CNS" is the abbreviation for the title of Clinical Nurse Specialist.
(11)
An "advanced practice registered nurse" is a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under this article and who is certified in advanced practice registered nurse or specialized nursing practice and includes certified registered nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse practitioners. "CNM" is the abbreviation for the title of Certified Nurse Midwife, "CRNA" is the abbreviation for the title of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. "CNP" is the abbreviation for the title of Certified Nurse Practitioner.
(12)
A "nurse educator" is a registered nurse who meets the criteria for faculty as set forth in a state-accredited program of nursing for registered nurses, or a state-approved program of nursing for licensed practical nurses, and who functions as a faculty member.
(13)
A "consumer representative" is a person representing the interests of the general public, who may use services of a health agency or health professional organization or its members but who is neither a provider of health services, nor employed in the health services field, nor holds a vested interest in the provision of health services at any level, nor has an immediate family member who holds vested interests in the provision of health services at any level.
(14)
"Privilege to practice" means the multistate licensure privilege to practice nursing in the state as described in the Nurse Licensure Compact provided for in Section
73-15-201
.
(15)
"Licensee" is a person who has been issued a license to practice nursing in the state or who holds the privilege to practice nursing in the state.
Codes, 1942, § 8806-03; Laws, 1970, ch. 420, § 3; Laws, 1974, ch. 354; Laws, 1976, ch. 356, § 1; Laws, 1977, ch. 349; Laws, 1981, ch. 449, § 2; reenacted, Laws, 1983, ch. 485, § 3; reenacted, Laws, 1991, ch. 465, § 3; Laws, 2000, ch. 482, § 4; Laws, 2009, ch. 474, § 1; Laws, 2010, ch. 315, § 1, eff. 7/1/2010.
Amended by Laws, 2017, ch. 359, HB 488, 3, eff. 7/20/2017.