Once again, nurses have been named the most trusted profession in America, according to the latest Gallup poll on honesty and ethics.
For the 24th year in a row, nurses have earned the nation’s highest trust, continuing a remarkable legacy of compassion, integrity, and professional excellence unmatched by any other field.
In the current Gallup survey, 75% of Americans ranked the honesty and ethical standards of nursing professionals as “very high” or “high,” maintaining their position above all other professions measured. Despite slight declines compared to peak levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses still ranked higher than other care providers, such as physicians (57%) and pharmacists (53%), in public trust.
Since 1976, Gallup has measured public perceptions of honesty and ethics across many professions, with nurses first appearing on their list in 1999. With one exception, firefighters in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, nurses have topped the ratings every year since.
Ethical practice is a core principle, not just a talking point. Treating patients with compassion and respect has always been central to the nursing profession’s ethos.
“The Code of Ethics [for Nurses] helps nurses by giving them structure as to how to own their accountability and their responsibilities within their nursing practice and help make those decisions based on what would be providing the most optimal care for the patient,” said Emily Emma, DNP, RN‑BC, NEA‑BC, Director for Magnet and Professional Practice at Stony Brook University Hospital. “Having ethical principles in nursing really guides the nurse to make the best, most moral decision on behalf of themselves as practitioners and for the patients.”
New year, familiar challenges
As healthcare systems adapt to shifting demands, nurses continue to navigate persistent challenges that directly affect patient care and their own well-being. In 2025, many of the same issues that have plagued the profession in recent years — burnout, understaffing, and workplace safety—have only intensified, fueled by systemic gaps and increasing complexity in care delivery.
Even so, nurses continue to serve as the foundation of patient care. But even the most committed professionals are questioning how much more they can give.
“Most nurses go into the profession with the highest of hopes that they will be able to provide excellent patient care and improve outcomes,” said Cara Lunsford, RN, CPHON, Vice President of Clinical Solutions at Relias. “They do it because they have a genuine passion to provide great care. Understaffed and unsafe work environments make it impossible for nurses to do the work they signed up to do.”
Lunsford shared, “My biggest concern in the coming years is that the public will not understand why the quality of care is suffering and why nurses are striking.”
What the data shows
Research continues to underscore the severity of the problem. Burnout and moral injury remain widespread, with the Journal of Patient Safety reporting that approximately one in three registered nurses experiences burnout. This strain is often rooted in moral injury, situations where nurses are constrained by systems that prevent them from delivering the level of care they know patients need, contributing to emotional distress and long-term mental health risks.
Staffing shortages further compound these challenges. The Nurse.com 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report found that nearly one-fourth of nurses are considering leaving nursing, citing a lower risk to their mental health and dissatisfaction with management as reasons for leaving.
At the same time, workplace violence continues to escalate. The Nurse.com report revealed that 67% of nurses have experienced verbal abuse by a patient or family member, and 23% have experienced physical assault. This highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to address safety concerns and promote a more secure work environment for nurses.
Why nurses choose the profession
Many nurses are drawn to the profession by a deep-rooted desire to help others, often inspired by early life experiences or personal encounters with healthcare. Studies have shown that compassion and the ability to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives are among the top motivators for individuals entering the nursing field.
Others choose nursing after witnessing the impact that skilled, compassionate care can have during a loved one’s medical crisis. Firsthand experiences with illness or hospitalization may often serve as turning points that redirect career paths toward healthcare. In fact, research highlights that personal or family health experiences are among the most influential factors in nursing career decisions, reinforcing a strong emotional and moral commitment to patient care.
Nursing trust in action
Over decades, nurses have exemplified honesty, ethics, and compassion not only in routine care but during crises, from natural disasters to mass casualty events. The Gallup poll results reflect both the public’s recognition of this dedication and the profession’s sustained moral foundation.
“The public’s positive perception of us is one of the things that keeps us going, especially in these very difficult times,” said Lunsford.
