1997 Minnesota Statutes

     148.171 Definitions. 

    Sections 148.171 to 148.285 shall be referred to as the 
 Minnesota nurse practice act. 

    As used in sections 148.171 to 148.285: 

    (1) "Board" means the Minnesota board of nursing. 

    (2) "Registered nurse," abbreviated R.N., means an 
 individual licensed by the board to practice professional 
 nursing.  

    (3) The practice of professional nursing means the 
 performance for compensation or personal profit of the 
 professional interpersonal service of:  (a) providing a nursing 
 assessment of the actual or potential health needs of 
 individuals, families, or communities; (b) providing nursing 
 care supportive to or restorative of life by functions such as 
 skilled ministration of nursing care, supervising and teaching 
 nursing personnel, health teaching and counseling, case finding, 
 and referral to other health resources; and (c) evaluating these 
 actions.  

    The practice of professional nursing includes both 
 independent nursing functions and delegated medical functions 
 which may be performed in collaboration with other health team 
 members, or may be delegated by the professional nurse to other 
 nursing personnel.  Independent nursing function may also be 
 performed autonomously.  The practice of professional nursing 
 requires that level of special education, knowledge, and skill 
 ordinarily expected of an individual who has completed an 
 approved professional nursing education program as described in 
 section 148.211, subdivision 1.  

    (4) "Licensed practical nurse," abbreviated L.P.N., means 
 an individual licensed by the board to practice practical 
 nursing. 

    (5) The practice of practical nursing means the performance 
 for compensation or personal profit of any of those services in 
 observing and caring for the ill, injured, or infirm, in 
 applying counsel and procedure to safeguard life and health, in 
 administering medication and treatment prescribed by a licensed 
 health professional, which are commonly performed by licensed 
 practical nurses and which require specialized knowledge and 
 skill such as are taught or acquired in an approved school of 
 practical nursing, but which do not require the specialized 
 education, knowledge, and skill of a registered nurse. 

    (6) "Nurse" means registered nurse and licensed practical 
 nurse unless the context clearly refers to only one category. 

    (7) "Nursing assistant" means an individual providing 
 nursing or nursing-related services that do not require the 
 specialized knowledge and skill of a nurse, at the direction of 
 a nurse, but does not include a licensed health professional or 
 an individual who volunteers to provide such services without 
 monetary compensation. 

    (8) "Public health nurse" means a registered nurse who 
 meets the voluntary registration requirements established by the 
 board by rule.  

    HIST: 1945 c 242 s 1; 1955 c 34 s 1; 1959 c 140 s 1; 1974 c 
 554 s 1; 1988 c 440 s 1; 1989 c 194 s 3; 1990 c 483 s 1