What regulates a nurse's actions once they begin working in a new state?

• A. The federal Nurse Practice Act
• B. The state Nurse Practice Act
• C. The hospital's code of ethics
• D. The nursing union's regulations

Answer: (B)

The state Nurse Practice Act is the correct answer because it is specific to the individual state in which a nurse practices and outlines the legal parameters of nursing practice within that jurisdiction. Each state in the U.S. has its own Nurse Practice Act, which provides essential information such as the scope of practice, licensure requirements, and disciplinary actions for nurses. This act is crucial because it ensures that nurses operate within the legal framework designed to protect the public and define the standards of care specific to that state.

While the federal Nurse Practice Act exists, it serves more as a guiding framework rather than a direct regulator of individual nursing practice in each state. The hospital's code of ethics refers to the moral principles that govern the conduct of nurses within that particular institution but does not have the legal authority that state laws do. The nursing union's regulations may provide support and advocacy for nurses but do not dictate the legal scope of practice. Thus, the state Nurse Practice Act directly regulates a nurse's professional actions once they begin their work in that state.