Nurses are most ethical workers

For 13 out of 14 years, registered nurses remain the most trusted profession, according to the newest Gallup survey.  

This year, 85 percent of Americans ranked nurses "high" or "very high" for honesty and ethics, while congressional members sat near the bottom of the list with 10 percent.

"This poll consistently shows that people connect with nurses and trust them to do the right thing," American Nurses Association President Karen A. Daley said Tuesday in a statement. "Policymakers should do the same as they debate crucial budget decisions that will affect healthcare quality and access for millions of Americans," she added.

Not far behind nurses were doctors with a 70 percent honesty rating, the same as last year's score, even though today's physicians face more ethical dilemmas than ever--from assisted suicide to what insurance they accept, FiercePracticeManagement recently reported.

Meanwhile, more good news for nurses comes from the University of Pennsylvania School Of Nursing, where researchers found that hiring nurses, even temporary "travel" ones, can improve patient outcomes. For example, hiring temporary nurses can alleviate workforce shortages that cause higher patient mortality, according to the study.

Temporary "travel" nurses also can help meet the growing demand for nursing care, as well as fill an expanding physician void, for hospitals struggling to fill RN spots.

A study in last month's Health Affairs concluded supplemental nurses have roughly the same education and experience qualifications as permanent RNs, in addition to being younger, more diverse and more flexible for relocation.

For more:
- check out the Gallup survey
- read the ANA statement (.pdf)
- here's the U Penn Nursing announcement
- read the Health Affairs study abstract