Glossary

The rights of people as expressed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and as recorded in the CNA position statement, Registered Nurses, Health and Human Rights.

Failing to understand the nature of the treatment decisions to be made, as well as the consequences of consenting to treatment or declining treatment.

A physical or mental condition or disorder, suffered by a member, of such nature and extent that it is desirable in the interests of the public or the member that they no longer be permitted to practise nursing or that their practice be restricted.

Acts or omissions on the part of a member, in their professional duties, including the care of a patient, that demonstrate a lack of knowledge, skill or judgements, or disregard for the welfare of a patient of a nature and to an extent as to render the member unfit or unsafe to practise nursing or to practise nursing without conditions, limitations or restrictions.

For the purposes of program approval, an indicator is an objective measure used to assess whether an entry-level nursing education program has achieved the program approval standards. An indicator is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-limited.

A form completed by programs for the comprehensive review process. The form provides information and documentation to NANB demonstrating that the program achieves all evidence requirements for each program approval indicator and standard.

The first inhabitants of a geographic area. In Canada, Indigenous peoples include those who may identify as First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and/or Inuit.

A diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. They encompass all digital and analogue technologies that facilitate the capturing, processing, storage, and exchange of information via electronic communication.

The process of giving permission or making choices about care. It is based on both a legal doctrine and an ethical principle of respect for an individual’s right to sufficient information to make decisions about care, treatment and involvement in research. In the Code the term informed decision-making is primarily used to emphasize the choice involved.

The ability to actively seek and develop new methods, new technologies, and new tools to promote health, prevent disease, improve quality of care of patients, and apply innovation to work through teamwork and reasonable support channels.

Adherence to moral norms that is sustained over time. Implicit in integrity is soundness, trustworthiness and the consistency of convictions, actions and emotions.

Historic and contemporary trauma that has compounded over time and been passed from one generation to the next. The negative cumulative effects can impact individuals, families, communities, and entire populations, resulting in a legacy of physical, psychological, and economic disparities that persist across generations. For Indigenous peoples, the historical trauma includes trauma created as a result of the imposition of assimilative policies and laws aimed at attempted cultural genocide and continues to be built upon by contemporary forms of colonialism and discrimination.

Health care professionals must be able to interpret diagnostic tests to develop a timely and effective treatment plan in today’s complex environment.

Interprofessional: The integration of concepts and perspectives from across different professions. The term is used to describe teams of people with education in varying fields. For example, social workers, dieticians, nurses and physicians. These teams are common in complex environments, such as health care.

The process of developing and maintaining effective interprofessional working relationships with learners, practitioners, patients/clients, families and communities to enable optimal health outcomes. Elements of collaboration include respect, trust, shared decision making, and partnerships.

An intersectional approach involves actively considering how multiple, interconnected factors influence a person’s health, well-being, and access to care. In nursing practice, this means recognizing and responding to the complex realities that affect clients' experiences, particularly those who face overlapping forms of oppression or marginalization. This approach supports more inclusive, equitable, and person-centered care.

Intersectoral collaboration is the joint action taken by health and other government sectors, as well as representatives from private, voluntary, and non-profit groups, to improve the health of populations. Intersectoral action takes different forms such as cooperative initiatives, alliances, coalitions or partnerships.

The provision of comprehensive health care services to clients by multiple members of the same profession who work collaboratively to deliver quality care within and across settings.

Activities undertaken by union members to express disagreement with their employer’s or government’s policies or laws. Such activities could include going on strike, work slowdowns, work-to-rule, picketing and other protest actions.

Includes respecting the rights of others, distributing resources fairly, and preserving and promoting the common good (the good of the community).

A mutually collaborative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange, and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve nursing practice , client outcomes and more effective health services and products to strengthen the health care system.

 A simulated setting where students acquire nursing skills and competencies. It includes simulation. Laboratory hours within a baccalaureate program may not exceed 20% of the hours of clinical practice.

A relational process in which an individual seeks to influence others towards a mutually desirable goal. It is not limited to formal leadership roles.

A person studying nursing at the baccalaureate or graduate level; a nurse new to the profession; an experienced nurse entering a new practice setting; a nurse new to practice in NB; or an experienced nurse entering a new health discipline.

The activities that registered nurses are educated and authorized to perform, as set out in legislation, and described by standards, limits, and conditions set by regulators

The degree to which a client’s condition and care needs can be easily identified and the variability of their care requirements

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are self-regulated and work independently or in collaboration with other members of a health care team. LPNs assess clients and work in health promotion and illness prevention. They assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for clients. They work in a variety of practice settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, community health centres and doctors’ offices. LPNs are currently regulated in all 13 provinces and territories.

An indicator that must be fully met to receive an approved status.

(a) the administering by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner of a substance to a person, at their request, that causes their death; or (b) the prescribing or providing by a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner of a substance to a person, at their request, so that they may self-administer the substance and in doing so cause their own death.

Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer. Such events may be related to professional practice, health care products, procedures, and systems, including prescribing; order communication; product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature; compounding; dispensing; distribution; administration; education; monitoring; and use.