Nurses trusted more than any other profession, Gallup poll says

For the 16th consecutive year, Americans say they trust nurses more than any other profession, according to an annual Gallup survey released after Christmas.

Nurses are viewed as having "very high" or "high" ethical and honesty standards by 82 percent of the public. That’s a full 17 points higher than any other health care profession and significantly higher than professionals such as business executives, who are trusted by just 16 percent of Americans.

Gallup notes that since nurses were added to the survey in 1999, they have topped the list of most trusted professions every year except in 2001, when firefighters were recognized shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks for their heroism and bravery.

Overall, a majority of Americans in the poll rated six professions as "high" or "very high" for honesty and ethical standards.

In addition to nurses, that list includes military officers, grade school teachers, medical doctors, police officers and pharmacists.

The honesty rating of pharmacists, although still high on an absolute basis, dropped five points since last year and is at its lowest point since 1994, possibly reflecting the current nationwide opioid crisis.