Final Text
In addition to words and terms defined in §§ 54.1-3000 and 54.1-3030 of the Code of Virginia, the following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Active practice" means activities performed, whether or not for compensation, for which an active license to practice nursing is required.
"Board" means the Board of Nursing.
"CGFNS" means the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
"Contact hour" means 50 minutes of continuing education coursework or activity.
"Conversion therapy" means any practice or treatment as defined in § 54.1-2409.5 A of the Code of Virginia.
"National certifying organization" means an organization that has as one of its purposes the certification of a specialty in nursing based on an examination attesting to the knowledge of the nurse for practice in the specialty area.
"NCLEX" means the National Council Licensure Examination.
"NCSBN" means the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
"Primary state of residence" means the state of a person's declared fixed, permanent, and principal home or domicile for legal purposes.
A. The board has the authority to deny, revoke, or suspend a license or multistate licensure privilege issued, or to otherwise discipline a licensee or holder of a multistate licensure privilege upon proof that the licensee or holder of a multistate licensure privilege has violated any of the provisions of § 54.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia. For the purpose of establishing allegations to be included in the notice of hearing, the board has adopted the following definitions:
1. Fraud or deceit in procuring or maintaining a license means, but shall not be limited to:
a. Filing false credentials;
b. Falsely representing facts on an application for initial license, reinstatement, or renewal of a license; or
c. Giving or receiving assistance in the taking of the licensing examination.
2. Unprofessional conduct means, but shall not be limited to:
a. Performing acts beyond the limits of the practice of professional or practical nursing as defined in Chapter 30 (§ 54.1-3000 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, or as provided by §§ 54.1-2901 and 54.1-2957 of the Code of Virginia;
b. Assuming duties and responsibilities within the practice of nursing without adequate training or when competency has not been maintained;
c. Obtaining supplies, equipment, or drugs for personal or other unauthorized use;
d. Employing or assigning unqualified persons to perform functions that require a licensed practitioner of nursing;
e. Falsifying or otherwise altering patient, employer, student, or educational program records, including falsely representing facts on a job application or other employment-related documents;
f. Abusing, neglecting, or abandoning patients or clients;
g. Practice of a clinical nurse specialist beyond that defined in 18VAC90-19-220 and § 54.1-3000 of the Code of Virginia;
h. Representing oneself as or performing acts constituting the practice of a clinical nurse specialist unless so registered by the board;
i. Delegating nursing tasks to an unlicensed person in violation of the provisions of Part VI (18VAC90-19-240 et seq.) of this chapter;
j. Giving to or accepting from a patient or client property or money for any reason other than fee for service or a nominal token of appreciation;
k. Obtaining money or property of a patient or client by fraud, misrepresentation, or duress;
l. Entering into a relationship with a patient or client that constitutes a professional boundary violation in which the nurse uses his professional position to take advantage of the vulnerability of a patient, a client, or his family, to include actions that result in personal gain at the expense of the patient or client, or a nontherapeutic personal involvement or sexual conduct with a patient or client;
m. Violating state laws relating to the privacy of patient information, including § 32.1-127.1:03 the Code of Virginia;
n. Providing false information to staff or board members in the course of an investigation or proceeding;
o. Failing to report evidence of child abuse or neglect as required in § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia or elder abuse or neglect as required in § 63.2-1606 of the Code of Virginia; or
p. Engaging in conversion therapy with a person younger than 18 years of age; or
q. Violating any provision of this chapter.
B. Any sanction imposed on the registered nurse license of a clinical nurse specialist shall have the same effect on the clinical nurse specialist registration.