The following definitions apply in and for this subchapter.

(1) "Accrediting organization" means that professional organization which establishes standards and criteria for continuing education programs approved by the board.

(2) "Advanced practice registered nurse" or "APRN" means a registered nurse recognized by the board to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse pursuant to 37-8-202 , MCA, and ARM 24.159.1414.

(a) There are four types of APRNs:

(i) nurse practitioner (NP) ;

(ii) certified nurse midwife (CNM) ;

(iii) certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) ; and

(iv) clinical nurse specialist (CNS) .

(b) Only an APRN recognized by the board may use the initials indicating APRN licensure or the title nurse specialist.

(3) "Certifying body" means a national certifying organization which uses psychometrically sound examinations to examine and validate competency of APRNs and which has been approved by the board as a certifying agency for APRN recognition.

(4) "Committee" means the APRN committee, as established in ARM 24.159.1462.

(5) "Continuing education" means that education either provided or approved by an academic institution of higher learning or a recognized certifying body. One continuing education unit equals 50 minutes of instruction.

(6) "Department" means the Department of Labor and Industry as provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 17, MCA.

(7) "Drug" means a substance defined by 37-7-101 , MCA.

(8) "Peer" means a licensed independent practitioner whose credentials and practice encompass the APRN's scope and setting of practice.

(9) "Peer review" means the process of evaluating the practice of nursing, conducted by other nurses with similar qualifications.

(10) "Physician reviewer" means a licensed physician whose credentials and practice encompass the APRN's scope and setting of practice.

(11) "Prescribing" means specifying nursing intervention(s) intended to implement the defined strategy of care. This includes the nursing behaviors that nurses shall perform when delivering nursing care, though not necessarily sequentially or all in each given situation:

(a) assessment;

(b) nursing analysis;

(c) planning;

(d) nursing intervention; and

(e) evaluation.

(12) "Prescription" means an order for a drug, as defined by 37-7-101 , MCA, or any medicine, devices, or treatments, including controlled substances listed in Schedule II-V, as defined by federal law in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) , Title 21, section 1306.