Final answer:
The Nursing Act is categorized as statute law, which is specifically enacted by a legislative body to govern the nursing profession. It is not considered common law, criminal law, or public law. Courts can handle cases in civil and criminal law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Nursing Act would fall under the category of statute law. Statute laws, also known as statutory laws, are written laws passed by a legislative body at both the federal and state levels. These laws pertain to the nursing profession and are specifically designed to govern the practice and licensure of nursing. It is not common law, which develops over time through court decisions, nor is it criminal law, which deals with crimes against the state or federal government. The Nursing Act is not considered public law, which governs the relationship between individuals and the government and applies to all people.
In more general terms, both state and federal courts can hear matters that relate to both civil and criminal law, meaning that they can deal with disputes between individuals, as well as cases involving violations of criminal statutes.