64 Journal of Nursing Regulation
APPENDIX A
Glossary of Terms
accreditation (accrediting body) A nongovernmental, often voluntary,
peer review process for educational programs that assesses the
quality of an educational program and recognizes programs as
meeting a set of requirements.
advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) A registered nurse who has
a graduate degree and advanced knowledge. There are four catego
-
ries of APRNs: certified nurse-midwife (CNM), certified nurse practi-
tioner (CNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified registered
nurse anesthetist (CRNA). These nurses can diagnose illnesses and
prescribe treatments and medications.
African Health Profession Regulatory Collaborative for Nursing and
Midwifery (ARC) A collaborative comprised of 17 African member
nations whose objectives are to support and build nursing and mid
-
wifery capacity to sustain and increase HIV services; advance nurs-
ing and midwifery regulatory frameworks; strengthen nursing and
midwifery organizational capacity and leadership; foster collabora
-
tion; and promote dialogue between member countries.
approval (of education) Official recognition of a nursing education pro
-
gram as meeting the standards established by the appropriate gov-
ernment authority.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) A 10-member associ
-
ation of Southeast Asian nations whose purposes and aims are to
accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural devel
-
opment in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equali-
ty and partnership; to promote regional peace and stability through
abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship
among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of
the United Nations Charter; to promote active collaboration and mu
-
tual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, so-
cial, cultural, technical, scientific, and administrative fields; to pro-
vide assistance to each other in the form of training and research
facilities in the educational, professional, technical, and administra
-
tive spheres; to collaborate more effectively for the greater utiliza-
tion of their agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade
(including the study of the problems of international commodity
trade), the improvement of their transportation and communica
-
tions facilities, and the raising of the living standards of their peo-
ples; to promote Southeast Asian studies; and to maintain close and
beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional orga
-
nizations with similar aims and purposes and explore all avenues
for even closer cooperation among themselves.
authorization to practice Authority granted to a nursing professional
allowing that professional to practice nursing within the scope of his
or her respective discipline. This authority is generally granted after
a nursing professional has completed the required education and
training programs within their jurisdiction. A qualifying examination
leading to authorization may also be required.
board of nurses (nursing board) A governmental agency responsible
for regulation of the nursing practice.
Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) An agreement that applies to
trade, investment, and labor mobility within Canada comprising
14-member provinces and the Canadian federal government. The
Agreement seeks to eliminate barriers in trade and the mobility of
goods, services, investments, and persons within Canada by recon
-
ciling standards and regulatory measures through nondiscriminato-
ry treatment.
Caribbean community (CARICOM) Comprised of 15 Caribbean member
states and five associate Caribbean member states; the overarching
purpose of CARICOM is to encourage and engage in functional co
-
operation between Caribbean nations. CARICOM rests on four main
pillars economic integration; foreign policy coordination; human
and social development; and security.
cease and desist order A document sent to an individual to permanent
-
ly halt purportedly unlawful activity.
censure A reprimand, which could be public or private, for an infraction
or violation.
certified nursing assistant (certified nursing aid) (CNA) A person who
is certified to assist with the delivery of direct nursing care to pa
-
tients. Works under the supervision of a nurse.
certified nurse midwife (CNM) A registered nurse (RN) who has a grad
-
uate degree and advanced knowledge specific to the practice of
midwifery. The CNM is one of four types of advanced practice RNs:
certified nurse midwife (CNM), certified nurse practitioner (CNP),
clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and certified registered nurse anes
-
thetist (CRNA). These nurses can diagnose illnesses and prescribe
treatments and medications.
certified nurse practitioner (CNP) A registered nurse (RN) who has a
graduate degree and advanced knowledge. The CNP is one of four
types of advanced practice RNs: certified nurse midwife (CNM), cer
-
tified nurse practitioner (CNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and
certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). These nurses can diag
-
nose illnesses and prescribe treatments and medications.
certified nurse specialist (CNS) A registered nurse (RN) who has a
graduate degree and advanced knowledge in a specific specialty.
The CNS is one of four types of advanced practice RNs: certified
nurse-midwife (CNM), certified nurse practitioner (CNP), clinical
nurse specialist (CNS), and certified registered nurse anesthetist
(CRNA). These nurses can diagnose illnesses and prescribe treat
-
ments and medications.
certified registered nurse anesthetist (nurse anesthetist) (CRNA) A reg
-
istered nurse (RN) who has a graduate degree and advanced knowl-
edge in the administration of anesthesia. The CRNA is one of four
categories of advanced practice RNs: certified nurse-midwife (CNM),
certified nurse practitioner (CNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and
certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). These nurses can diag
-
nose illnesses and prescribe treatments and medications.
citation order A civil penalty that may affect a nurse’s licensure or reg
-
istration but usually is not related to the nurse’s actions in practice.
compact An agreement between several jurisdictions that allows nurs
-
es from each jurisdiction to work in any participating jurisdiction
without meeting additional requirements.
conditional probation Limitation or restriction of one or more aspects
of practice.
continuing competence (continuing professional development) (con
-
tinuing fitness to practice) Additional education or training follow-
ing initial authorization to practice. It is often required to remain au-
thorized to practice.
credentials In some countries, the abbreviations included in a person’s
title that indicate the achievement of a certain level of education or
training, such as MD for medical doctor.
discipline Review and investigation taken by a regulatory body acting
through its statutory authority after a nurse has or is alleged to have
violated the nursing laws, acts, or regulations. The regulatory body
may take disciplinary action against the nurse’s license.
East, Central, and Southern Africa College of Nursing (ECSACON) An
arm of the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community
(ECSA-HC). ECSACON focuses on the areas of nursing and midwife
-
ry. The mandate seeks to promote and strengthen professional ex-
cellence in nursing and midwifery in the region.
East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) A
nine-member intergovernmental health organization that fosters
and promotes regional health cooperation among member states.
Appendices