Which statement best defines unethical conduct for a Florida nurse?

• A. Conduct that violates hospital policy only.
• B. Conduct that harms the nurse's reputation.
• C. Conduct inconsistent with professional ethics or laws that harms patients or the profession.
• D. Conduct that is illegal in another state but not Florida.

Answer: (C)

Unethical conduct is behavior that violates professional ethics or Florida laws and standards and has the potential to harm patients or the nursing profession. The Florida Nurse Practice Act and board rules set this standard broadly to protect the public: any act that breaches the rules governing nursing, or that endangers patients, undermines trust in the profession, or reflects poorly on the profession as a whole meets the definition of unethical conduct. It isn’t limited to something that only harms a nurse’s reputation or to a hospital policy violation. Nor is it about what’s illegal in another state unless that act also violates Florida law or ethics. In short, the core idea is acting outside the accepted ethical/legal framework in a way that risks patient safety or public confidence.