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

1. (1) Academic course--A specific set of learning experiences offered in an accredited school, college or university. Academic credit will convert on the following basis: One academic quarter hour = 10 contact hours; one academic semester hour = 15 contact hours.
2. (2) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)--A nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist approved by the board to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse based on completion of an advanced educational program acceptable to the board.

3. (3) Approved--Recognized as having met established standards and predetermined criteria of the:

   1. (A) credentialing agencies recognized by the board (applies to providers and programs); and
   2. (B) certifying bodies accredited by a national certification accreditation body recognized by the board.
4. (4) Area of Practice--Any activity, assignment, or task in which the nurse utilized nursing knowledge, judgment, or skills during the licensure renewal cycle.
5. (5) Audit--A random sample of licensees taken to verify satisfactory completion of the board's requirements for continuing competency during a biennial license renewal period.
6. (6) Authorship--Development and publication of a manuscript related to nursing and health care.
7. (7) Certification--Nursing certification from an approved certifying body accredited by a national accreditation body recognized by the board.
8. (8) Classroom instruction--Workshops, seminars, institutes, conferences or short term courses which the individual attends which may be acceptable for continuing education credit.
9. (9) Clinical learning experiences--Faculty-planned and guided learning experiences designed to assist students to meet the course objectives and to apply nursing knowledge and skills in the direct care of patients/clients. This includes laboratories, acute care facilities, extended care facilities, and other community resources.
10. (10) Competency--The application of knowledge and the interpersonal decision making, and psychomotor skills expected for the nurse's practice role, within the context of public health, safety, and welfare.
11. (11) Contact hour--Sixty consecutive minutes of participation in a learning activity.
12. (12) Continuing Education (CE)--Programs beyond the basic preparation which are designed to promote and enrich knowledge, improve skills, and develop attitudes for the enhancement of nursing practice, thus improving health care to the public.
13. (13) Continuing education program--An organized educational activity, e.g, self paced (online), classroom, approved through an external review process based on a predetermined set of criteria. The review is conducted by an organization(s) recognized by the board to approve programs and providers.
14. (14) Credentialing agency--An organization recognized by the board as having met nationally predetermined criteria to approve programs and providers of CE.
15. (15) Prescriptive Authority--Authorization granted to an advanced practice registered nurse who meets the requirements to carry out or sign a prescription drug order.
16. (16) Program number--A unique number assigned to a program upon approval which shall identify it regardless of the number of times it is presented.
17. (17) Provider--An individual, partnership, organization, agency or institution approved by an organization recognized by the board which offers continuing education programs.
18. (18) Provider number--A unique number assigned to the provider upon approval by the credentialing agency or organization.

Source Note:The provisions of this §216.1 adopted to be effective August 16, 2009, 34 TexReg 5524.