The annual Gallup survey has revealed that nurses remain the most trusted profession among compared healthcare workers for the 22nd year in a row.
On January 10th, the survey results showed that 79% of the public view nurses as having “very high” or “high” standards of ethics and honesty. This is 15 points higher than any other profession surveyed. The trust in business leaders was significantly lower at only 12%. Let’s dive into why this is true and how it affects healthcare today.
What Makes Nurses So Trustworthy?
It’s easy to say that nurses possess qualities such as empathy, compassion, and dedication to their patients—which are all true. However, the duties of a nurse are vastly numerous and oftentimes, they’re doing a job that would require 2-3 people.
The commitment to their patient’s safety is of utmost importance. Nurses are held to a high standard as they ensure patients receive the best outcome possible. They remain sharp as they renew their knowledge on the latest healthcare trends, treatments, and standards every 2 years.
Nurses not only have an in-depth knowledge of healthcare, but they also serve as the bridge between a doctor and a patient. They understand that providing quality care involves more than just administering medications and treatments. They engage in therapeutic conversation, a skill that makes them one of the most respected professionals in our society.
The survey results demonstrate the positive impact nurses have on our healthcare system by increasing access to quality care for all patients. They provide a sense of comfort to those who need it most. This helps build trust between nurse and patient.
It also helps to foster relationships between doctors and nurses because both know they can rely on each other for support when needed.
Leadership Qualities
A nurse’s role possesses tremendous leadership qualities that are paramount to providing high-quality care. They are in charge of delegating tasks and managing care plans while also advocating for their patient’s rights at all times.
It is crucial for nurses to stay on top of each patient’s progress and take the initiative if any regression occurs. The success of their mission largely depends on their ability to navigate any challenge as well as change that occurs in a rapid healthcare environment.
As such, nurses continuously demonstrate expertise when performing their day-to-day duties in order to ensure an optimal outcome.
Advocates For Change
Advocating for meaningful change is something that nurses take very seriously. Last week, nurses in New York City took to the streets and demanded safe staffing ratios as a result of established evidence showing improvements in patient mortality when nurses work with appropriate support.
This strike event was only one of many that occurred throughout the U.S. over the past year, demonstrating patient safety as a top priority. Additionally, nurses are often at the forefront of campaigns advocating for access to mental health services.
This also includes substance abuse prevention programs and other healthcare initiatives aimed at transforming communities for the better. Nursing communities do this regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location.
Final Thoughts
Nursing is an essential part of modern healthcare due to its commitment to providing quality care while maintaining high ethical standards. It is no surprise that nursing remains a top-trusted profession as they continuously make their voices heard publically.
The trustworthiness demonstrated by nurses over the last 22 years speaks volumes about the value they bring to our society through their hard work and dedication. Especially, caring for others during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses have always had to chronically work with limited resources but still manage to make a difference.
Despite a few mishaps in the public eye with some questionable nurse TikTok trends, the nurses’ image still remains intact. As we move forward into 2023, it’s likely that nurses will continue earning this trust across the country.