US nurses ranked most honest, ethical professionals

Editor's Note

For more than 2 decades, nursing has been ranked the most honest and ethical profession in Gallup’s annual poll, the American Nurses Association (ANA) reported on January 10.

In the poll, 79% of Americans rated nurses’ honesty and ethical standards as “very high” or “high.” The second highest rated profession—medical doctors—was at 62%.

ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, noted that nursing’s ranking in this poll is an acknowledgement that without nurses’ bravery, professionalism, and clinical expertise, the healthcare system could not function.