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According to the poll , 79 percentof Americans rated nurses ’ honesty andethical standards as “ veryhigh ” or “ high .”
For the 21st consecutive year , nurses ranked # 1 in Gallup ’ s annual Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll . The American public rated nurses the highest among ahost of professionals , including medical doctors , pharmacists , and high school teachers . Nurses kept their place atop the poll despite the challenges presented by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic , high rates of flu and RSV infections , staffing issues and the pernicious threat ofworkplace violence . Their rankinginthis year ’ spoll directly reflects both nurses ’ unparalleled skill and deep connection to their patients and communities . According to the poll , 79 percent of Americans rated nurses ’ honesty and ethical standards as “ very high ” or “ high .” The secondhighest-ratedprofession , medical doctors , was rated 17 percentage points behind nursing . “ This recognition belongs to America ’ s 4.4million incredible nurses ,” said ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy , PhD , MBA , RN , NEA-BC , FAAN .“ For more than two decades now , the nation hasrecognized the vital role you play in keeping our friends , families , and communities safe and healthy , regardless of the setting you work in or the challenges you might face . Your rankinginthis poll is an acknowledgement that without your bravery , professionalism , and clinical expertise , our health care system could not function . Ilook forward to celebrating and sharingyour many remarkable achievements over the course of2023 and beyond .”
Nurses have been able tomaintain their ranking in this poll byproviding highquality , patient-centered care toindividu-
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als , families , and communities across the country and in every conceivable health care setting . But this accomplishment does not overshadow the serious challenges facing the entire nursing profession . “ Like 2020 and 2021 before it , this past year was a difficult one for nurses . Though COVID-19 may have receded from the headlines , it continues to weigh on |
nurses in communities and care settings in every cornerof the country . Additionally , the strain of a historicallysevere flu season along with a surge of RSV infections has only added to the stress and anxiety that many nurses are feeling ,” said Mensik Kennedy . “ And the lurking menace of workplace violence can make what is already a difficult job , a deadly one . In short , I am gravely concerned about ournation ’ s nurses and the nursing profession .”
“ I am urging the public and private sector to work together with nurses to develop solutions to the numerous longstanding crises that have plagued nursing for toolong ,” said Mensik Kennedy . “ Because the health of the nation depends on a strong and wellsupportednursingworkforce .”
Throughout 2023 , the American Nurses Association ( ANA ) will continue to advocate on behalf of our nation ’ s nursesin addition to educating the public about whonurses are , what they do , and how their vast knowledge and indisputable expertise touches and improves the lives of Americans everywhere .
The American Nurses Association ( ANA ) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation ’ s 4.4 million registered nurses . ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice , promoting a safe and ethical work environment , bolstering the health and wellness of nurses , and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public . ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health carefor all .
For more information , visitwww . nursingworld . org .
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