In addition to the words and terms defined in §23.1 of this chapter (relating to Definitions), the following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
- (1) Advanced Practice Nurse--A professional nurse, currently licensed in the State of Texas, who has been approved by the Texas Board of Nursing to practice as an advanced practice nurse based on completing an advanced educational program of study acceptable to the Texas Board of Nursing. The term includes a nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, nurse anesthetist, and a clinical nurse specialist.
- (2) Full-Time--An average of at least 32 hours per week during the service period.
- (3) Licensed Vocational Nurse--A person currently licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing to practice vocational nursing.
- (4) Primary Care HPSA--Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as having shortages of primary care providers and may be geographic (a county or service area), demographic (low-income population), or institutional (comprehensive health center, federally qualified health center, or other public facility), in compliance with the requirements of Section 332 of the Public Health Service Act, 90 Stat. 2270-2272 (42 U.S.C.A. 254e).
- (5) Registered Nurse--A person currently licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing to practice professional nursing. For the purposes of this subchapter, an advanced practice nurse is not considered a registered nurse.
- (6) Rural County--A county with a population of less than 150,000.
- (7) Service Period--A period of 12 consecutive months qualifying an applicant for loan repayment.
- (8) Telehealth Provider--An eligible nurse applying for loan repayment assistance on or after September 1, 2027, who delivers fifty percent or more of the nurse's applicable services (measured in hours per week) to patients at a different physical location than the nurse using secure telecommunication or information technology.
Source Note:The provisions of this §23.301 adopted to be effective August 15, 2024, 49 TexReg 5991; amended to be effective May 13, 2026, 51 TexReg 3111.