The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

1. (1) Board--The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
2. (2) Commissioner--The Commissioner of Higher Education.
3. (3) Hospital--A health care facility that provides in-patient services in the state, that is in good standing with all regulators and accreditation bodies, and that is not owned, maintained, or operated by the federal or state government or an agency of the federal or state government.
4. (4) Nursing school--An educational entity of a Texas public or independent institution of higher education that offers a degree program that prepares students for initial licensure as registered nurses and that has initial or full approval status from the Texas Board of Nursing on the date that grant applications are due to the Board.
5. (5) Hospital-based nursing education partnership--One or more hospitals as defined in paragraph (3) of this section and one or more nursing schools as defined in paragraph (4) of this section which serve to increase the number of students enrolled in and graduating from one or more degree programs as a result of a partnership.

6. (6) Degree program--Courses and learning experiences leading to:

   1. (A) an associate degree in nursing;
   2. (B) a baccalaureate degree in nursing, leading to initial licensure as a registered nurse;
   3. (C) a master's degree in nursing with a concentration in nursing education; and
   4. (D) an academic program designed to advance a registered nurse from an associate degree to a bachelor of science degree in nursing or to a master of science degree in nursing with a concentration in nursing education.

Source Note:The provisions of this §6.82 adopted to be effective November 28, 2007, 32 TexReg 8492.