Question

When practicing in a compact state, what must the nurse do?

1) Abide solely by the practice act of the largest state
2) Have patients' rights protected by the mutual recognition model
3) Pay for a license in all states that participate in the mutual recognition model
4) Refer to the nurse practice act for the list of skills that can be performed

Answer 1

When practicing in a compact state, a nurse must abide by the largest state's practice act, refer to the nurse practice act for the list of skills that can be performed, and does not need to pay for a license in all participating states.

Step-by-step explanation:

When practicing in a compact state, a nurse must abide solely by the practice act of the largest state. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement between states that allows nurses to have one license to practice in multiple states. Under this compact, nurses are required to follow the laws and regulations of the state they are physically present in, even if those laws are different from their home state.

In order to practice in a compact state, a nurse does not need to pay for a license in all states that participate in the mutual recognition model. As long as they hold a valid license in their home state, they can practice in any other compact state without obtaining additional licenses. Additionally, a nurse must refer to the nurse practice act for the list of skills that can be performed in the state they are practicing. Each state's nurse practice act outlines the specific scope of practice for nurses and what they are allowed to do in terms of patient care and treatment.