Final answer:
A nurse's actions when they begin working at a hospital are regulated by the state nurse practice act, which provides legal guidelines for nursing practice within that state.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse who has accepted a position at a hospital is regulated by the state nurse practice act of the state where they will be working. The state nurse practice act lays down the laws and regulations that govern nursing practice within that particular state, including the scope of practice, standards for professional conduct, and requirements for licensure.
While the American Nurses Association (ANA) code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements provides ethical guidelines, and the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) and the National League for Nursing are valuable professional organizations, it is the state nurse practice act that holds legal authority over the nurse's actions in their professional practice.