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38 CFR § 53.2 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t38/s53.2"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "38 CFR § 53.2 - Definitions."
title_number: 38
title_name: "Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief"
section_number: "53.2"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS"
part_number: "53"
part_name: "PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE THE HIRING AND RETENTION OF NURSES AT STATE VETERANS HOMES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744."
regulatory_source: "73 FR 73560, Dec. 3, 2008, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "53"
---

# 53.2 Definitions.

For the purpose of this part:

*Nurse* means an individual who is a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a licensed vocational nurse, or a nursing assistant certified in the State in which payment is made and who is a bedside caregiver at least a majority of the time (e.g., this would generally not include an individual acting in the capacity of an advance practice nurse, an administrative nurse, or a director of nursing) (the terms *nurses* and *nursing* shall be construed consistent with this definition).

*State* means each of the several States, Territories, and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

*State representative* means the official designated in accordance with State authority with responsibility for matters relating to payments under this part.

*State Veterans Home (SVH)* means a home approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) which a State established primarily for veterans disabled by age, disease, or otherwise, who by reason of such disability are incapable of earning a living. A SVH may provide domiciliary care, nursing home care, adult day health care, and hospital care. Hospital care may be provided only when the SVH also provides domiciliary and/or nursing home care.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1744)