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Glossary

  • Right-touch regulation

    This is an approach used by regulatory bodies in the disciplinary process. The concept of Right-touch regulation emerges from the application of the principles of good regulation identified by the Better Regulation Executive. The principles state that regulation should aim to be:

    • Proportionate: regulators should only intervene when necessary. Remedies should be appropriate to the risk posed, and costs identified and minimised

    • Consistent: rules and standards must be implemented fairly

    • Targeted: regulation should be focused on the problem, and minimise side effects

    • Transparent: regulators should be open, and keep regulations simple and user friendly

    • Accountable: regulators must be able to justify decisions, and be subject to public scrutiny

    • Agile: regulation must look forward and be able to adapt to anticipate change.


  • Samples

    Samples of prescription medications are often provided by pharmaceutical companies to specific authorized healthcare providers free of charge. According to the Food and Drug Act, drug samples can be distributed to physicians, nurse practitioners[1], pharmacists, dentists and veterinarians under certain conditions. These authorized prescribers can then provide drug samples to clients when needed. Graduate nurses and registered nurses can distribute drug samples only under an authorized prescriber’s order or care directive. Employer policies pertaining to the distribution of drug samples should address their procurement, storage, access, distribution/supplying and proper disposal.



  • School

    A college or university that educates nurses (RN or NP) in NB. For the purposes of NANB’s program approval process, approval of an entry-level nursing education program will be conferred at the school or degree-granting institution level.


  • Scope of employment

    The scope of employment for a nurse is set by individual organizations and can be described in a job description or policy and procedure manual.


  • Second-Level Entry Compressed Program

    An educational program with established admission criteria granting second-level entry to individuals who satisfy pre-determined university prerequisites. Students adhere to a structured but condensed program designed to support them in meeting the educational requirements that satisfy NANB’s ETP competencies for RNs. The curriculum is set by the educational provider. The duration of study is shorter compared with the DEF, with a duration of 2 years. Upon completion of the SLEC, the successful student is granted a Bachelor of Nursing degree (BN).


  • Self-management

    Relates to tasks and skills that an individual must undertake to live well and include gaining confidence to deal with medical management as well as role and emotional management by the individual.


  • Self-reflection

    The ability to evaluate one’s own thoughts, plans and actions in relation to ethical responsibilities and ethical guidelines.


  • Self‐regulation

    In general, there are two ways a profession can be regulated: one is by the profession itself which is self‐regulation and the other is directly by government. Self‐ regulation recognizes that the nursing profession is best qualified to determine the standards for nursing education and practice which are required to ensure the public receives safe, competent, compassionate and ethical care. NANB receives its regulatory authority from the New Brunswick government through the Nurses Act.


  • Sexual abuse/Sexually abusive/Sexually abused

    Form of professional misconduct and means: sexual intercourse or other forms of physical sexual relations between the nurse and the client; or touching, of a sexual nature, of the client by the nurse; or behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by the nurse towards the client.


  • Site

    The physical location where the entry-level nursing education program is delivered.


  • Skill mix

     Refers to the number, educational preparation of nurses or level of nurses, and their experience working in a clinical setting.


  • SMART

    An acronym for a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-limited.


  • Social determinants of health

    The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices.


  • Social justice

    The fair distribution of society’s benefits and responsibilities and their consequences. It focuses on the relative position of one social grouping in relation to others in society as well as in root causes of disparities and what can be done to eliminate them. Social justice is concerned with achieving health equity, where “nurses are urged, through individual and collective actions, to contribute to reducing health inequities through action on primary health care, health promotion, social determinants of health, socio-economic and political factors, global health, environmental health, and universal health care”


  • Social media

    A group of Internet-based applications and technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. Social media includes but is not limited to social networking, online forums, chat rooms, texting/instant messaging, blogs, wikis, file sharing (video and audio) and virtual worlds.


  • Standard

    There are three program approval standards based on a logic model: structure, curriculum and outcomes. The standards are the bases for measuring and approving the performance of an entry-level nursing education program.


  • Standards of Practice (for Registered Nurses)

    Establish the regulatory and professional foundation for nursing practice. These standards establish for registered nurses, the public, government and other stakeholders the expected level of performance of a registered nurse.


  • Stigma

    Negative, unfounded attitudes or beliefs (i.e., prejudice) towards an individual based on their actual or perceived membership.


  • Strengths-based approach

    A philosophy and method of care that prioritizes the existing strengths, skills, knowledge, values, and cultural resources of individuals, families, and communities. Rather than focusing on problems, deficits, or diagnoses, this approach recognizes people as resourceful and capable of growth, healing, and self-determination.


  • Structural (or systemic) racism

    Political, social and economic structures and institutions where a dominant group is established, and its power is reinforced through inequitable laws, policies, rules and regulations, and access to resources.


  • Structural inequities

     The systemic and deeply embedded social, economic, and political disadvantages that are produced and maintained through laws, policies, institutional practices, and cultural norms. These inequities result in unequal access to resources, opportunities, and outcomes for certain populations, often based on race, ethnicity, Indigeneity, gender, socioeconomic status, immigration status, and other intersecting identities.


  • Structural oppression

    Vast and deep injustices that some groups suffer due to embedded and unquestioned norms and processes in everyday life. These norms and processes are seen within societal level conditions, cultural norms, and institutional policies that constrain access to opportunities, resources, and the well-being of certain groups.


  • Substitute decision-maker

    A capable person with the legal authority to make health-care treatment or withdrawal of treatment decisions on behalf of an incapable person. Each jurisdiction has its own guidelines related to substitute decision-making and instructional directives for treatment and care. Terms also differ across provinces and territories. Nurses need to become familiar with the terms used in their own jurisdictions.


  • Systematic Collection (of data)

    A methodological process used to collect data


  • Task

    One part of client care which has clearly defined limits.


  • Teach/Teaching

    Providing instruction for a task where the goal is to determine that the person receiving instruction is competent to perform the task.


  • Therapeutic nurse‐client relationship

    The therapeutic nurse-client relationship is a planned, time-limited and goal-directed connection between a registered nurse and a client and his significant others, for the purpose of meeting the client’s health care needs. Regardless of the context or length of the interaction, the therapeutic nurse-client relationship protects the patient’s dignity, autonomy and privacy and allows for the development of trust and respect.


  • Therapeutic nursing intervention

    Any treatment based on clinical judgement and knowledge which a nurse performs to enhance client outcomes.


  • Therapeutic relationship

    A relationship the nurse establishes and maintains with a client, through the use of professional knowledge, skills and attitudes, in order to provide nursing care that is expected to contribute to the client’s well-being.


  • Timely

    Ensuring that a response or action occurs within a timeframe required to achieve safe, effective and positive client outcomes.