Debi's Blog
June 23, 2007
Public Perception of Nurses
A recent Gallup poll ranked nurses as number one in ethics and honesty. Nurses topped the list when respondents were asked to rate the honesty and ethical standards of practitioners in 21 different professions. The top six ratings were as follows: nurses, pharmacists, veterinarians, medical doctors, dentists, and engineers. Nurses have been included in this Gallup survey since 1999 and have ranked number one six times in the past seven years, falling second only to firefighters in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The fact that nurses continue to top the ranks of public opinion is no surprise to me. My decision to become a nurse was based on the perception of nursing as an honorable and noble profession. Little did I know at the time what an enormous responsibility it would be to live up to this perception. Patients, our families, and the community trust us and often count on us to be their advocate. How many times has someone’s demeanor changed when you tell him or her you are a nurse. You can almost feel the respect they have for our profession. They value your advice and trust your word. What an awesome honor!

It is our responsibility to embrace this trust and celebrate this honor by continuing to do what we do each day, CARE! When you truly care, you are perceived as a person of high moral and ethical integrity, and caring is at the core of our profession. I know, at times, it is easy to lose sight of this with the fast-paced, ever-changing role of a nurse. But, year after year, the public remains steadfast in their opinion, and therefore, we must remain steadfast in our commitment.

I agree wholeheartedly with the comments Carol A. Romano, RN, PhD, Chief Nurse, Public Health Services, made in a recent Nursing Spectrum article. When asked what advice do you have for today’s nurse, she replied. "They need to embrace the gift of their profession and acknowledge that our society needs its nurses, every one of them. It’s the nurse who works to keep the nation healthy, safe, and comforted, one patient and one population at a time. Nurses need to affirm their value and accept the responsibility to grow in skill and competence. Nurses are the voice for health, healthy lifestyles, and quality in care, and they need to ensure that their voice is heard. Their voices can be spoken in the House or Senate, in the patient room or board room, and at any table where health care decisions are made."

I have always cherished my role as a nurse and feel blessed to be a member of this profession. As I look back to the time when I made my decision to enter nursing, I realize that I may not have fully understood the depth of my commitment and the impact I would have on others. All that has since changed. I now fully understand the depth of my commitment, and it is one that I do not take lightly. I strive every day to honor my profession and my fellow nurses. My wish is that you fully embrace your commitment to nursing and take time each day to think about the positive impact you have on others.

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