The public continues to rate nurses as the most trusted profession, according to this year’s Gallup survey that ranks professions based on their honesty and ethical standards.

“Nurses are on the front lines of health care. We advocate on patients’ behalf whether we are at the bedside or in the boardroom,” said American Nurses Association President Karen A. Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Patients understand that nurses are committed to improving the quality of their care, and this poll reflects the high regard they have for the profession.”

Registered nurses are increasingly being recognized as leaders in transforming the health care system to meet the burgeoning demand for prevention, wellness and primary care services with a focus on improving quality and managing costs. In addition to their clinical expertise, they are being sought out to serve in a variety of new roles, such a care coordinators and wellness coaches, and in leadership roles.

As millions of Americans are able to access health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act, ANA and its constituent and state nurses associations will continue to advocate for measures that will allow the public to benefit fully from nurses’ skill and expertise.

For the past 12 years, the public has voted nurses as the most ethical and honest profession in America in Gallup’s annual survey. This year, 82 percent of Americans rated nurses’ honesty and ethical standards as “very high” or “high,” a full 12 percentage points above any other profession.

Nurses consistently capture patient and public trust by performing in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Nurses that supports the best interests of patients, families and communities.