CANTON, Mass. – For the 16th consecutive year, Americans say they trust nurses more than any other profession, according to an annual Gallup survey released after Christmas.
Nurses are viewed as having "very high" or "high" ethical and honesty standards by 82 percent of the public, a full 17 points higher than any other health care profession and significantly higher than professionals such as business executives, who are trusted by just 16 percent of Americans.
"We are incredibly proud that patients and their families count on nurses when they are at their moment of greatest vulnerability,” Massachusetts Nurses Association President Donna Kelly-Williams said. “The public knows how seriously nurses take their responsibility to advocate for safe and effective care. When nurses fight for important health and safety measures like safe patient limits in all Massachusetts hospital units, the public supports their efforts because nurses have the most trusted voice in health care.”
Gallup notes that since nurses were added to the survey in 1999, they have topped the list of most trusted professions every year except in 2001, when firefighters were recognized shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks for their heroism and bravery. Gallup's 2017 ratings can be viewed here.
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