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Why Nurses Stand Out in a World of Declining Trust


A compassionate nurse provides care and support to a patient, embodying the essence of healthcare dedication.
A compassionate nurse provides care and support to a patient, embodying the essence of healthcare dedication.

For the 22nd consecutive year, nurses have topped Gallup's annual ranking of trusted professions. An astounding 75% of Americans rate nurses as highly honest and ethical, placing them far above other occupations. This recognition is a testament to the profession's unwavering commitment to humanity, even amid societal shifts and challenges. However, alongside this enduring trust lies a sobering reality: public confidence in many occupations, including those closely tied to healthcare, continues to decline.


As nurses, what does it mean to stand as a beacon of trust in a world increasingly skeptical of institutions? And how can we reconnect with our "truest self," that essence of caregiving rooted not just in skill but in love, compassion, and humanity?


Trust as the Foundation of Nursing


Jean Watson, a pioneer in the philosophy of human caring, reminds us that nursing is not merely a "detached scientific endeavor" but a "life-giving and life-receiving endeavor for humanity and our world." Her words resonate deeply as we reflect on Gallup's findings. Nurses have earned this trust not only because of technical expertise but because we embody an expansive, caring epistemology.


Watson’s perspective invites us to consider nursing as an art that transcends external data and protocols. It integrates insight, emotions, intuition, clinical judgment, and personal meaning, all shaped by the unique stories, circumstances, and wishes of those we care for. This is what she calls the "metaphysics of embodied knowing," a reminder that nursing at its best is deeply relational, compassionate, and human-centered.


The Weight of Public Trust


Being the most trusted profession is both an honor and a responsibility. It is a trust forged in moments of vulnerability, suffering, and healing. From the quiet midnight vigil beside a patient’s bed to the chaos of emergencies, nurses consistently show up with courage and care. Yet, trust in other healthcare roles—such as doctors, pharmacists, and nursing home operators—has waned since the height of the pandemic.


This decline reflects broader societal trends: skepticism of institutions, political polarization, and the erosion of confidence in systems once deemed reliable. Judges, clergy, and even the police have experienced double-digit declines in public trust over the past two decades. Amid this uncertainty, nurses remain steadfast.


But to sustain this trust, we must also care for ourselves. Burnout, moral injury, and systemic challenges threaten to erode the very foundation of our profession. How can we continue to give so much without replenishing the well?


A Call Back to Our Truest Self


To remain the most trusted profession, we must continually reconnect with the heart of nursing. Watson’s vision of "caring-healing professions" invites us to prioritize love and compassion—not just for our patients, but for ourselves and each other.


  • Reconnect with Meaning: Reflect on why you became a nurse. What moments remind you of the profound impact you have? Whether it’s a patient’s gratitude or a quiet victory in a difficult shift, these are the touchstones of trust and purpose.

  • Honor Embodied Knowing: Trust your intuition and the wisdom of your experience. Caring is as much about presence and understanding as it is about interventions.

  • Cultivate Resilience: Caring deeply does not mean depleting yourself. Practice self-compassion and seek spaces—whether through spiritual practices, mindfulness, or community support—that allow you to heal.

  • Advocate for Systemic Change: As trusted voices, nurses have a unique platform to advocate for more humane healthcare systems. Whether it’s pushing for safe staffing ratios or equitable patient care, our influence matters.


Moving Forward


Despite challenges, nursing remains a calling, a "life-giving endeavor" that embodies the highest ideals of humanity. As Jean Watson beautifully states, “When we include caring and love into our science, we discover our true selves and our purpose.”


Let this be an invitation to every nurse to return to the roots of trust and compassion that make this profession so profoundly transformative. By doing so, we honor the trust bestowed upon us by society and the deep, healing power of our work in the lives of others.


Let’s remember: when the world sees us, they see hope. May we never lose sight of what makes nursing the most trusted profession year after year—our ability to care, to connect, and to heal.


 

References

Gallup. (2024). Americans' ratings of U.S. professions stay historically low. Retrieved from https://www.gallup.com


Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The philosophy and science of caring (Rev. ed.). University Press of Colorado.


Watson, J. (2005). Caring science as sacred science. F.A. Davis Company.

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