Nursing Ranked the Most Honest & Ethical Profession for the 25th Year in a Row
Forward Summit
Editorial Team
3 min read
January 31, 2026
For an impressive 25th consecutive year, nursing has been rated the most ethical and honest profession in the United States, according to the latest Gallup Honesty and Ethics poll conducted December 1–15, 2025.
A Quarter Century of Trust
In the most recent survey, 75% of U.S. adults rated nurses as having "very high" or "high" honesty and ethical standards. While that figure represents a continued decline from pandemic-era highs, it still places nurses well ahead of every other profession measured.
Overall, Americans appear increasingly cautious about who they place their trust in. Ethics ratings across nearly all professions are at or near historic lows making nursing's continued #1 ranking all the more notable.
Nurses
75%
Military Veterans
67%
Medical Doctors
57%
Pharmacists
53%
Source: Gallup Honesty and Ethics Poll, December 2025
Historical Context
Gallup has tracked Americans' perceptions of professional honesty and ethics since 1976, with nurses added to the list in 1999. Since then, nurses have held the top spot every year except one in 2001, following the September 11 attacks, when firefighters ranked first.
Nurses continue to significantly outperform other healthcare professionals. Although still highly trusted, medical doctors and pharmacists have seen notable declines, falling 20 and 18 points respectively from their pandemic-era peaks in 2020.
What This Means for the Profession
While trust in institutions and professions continues to decline nationwide, nursing stands out as a rare constant. Even amid falling ratings and heightened public skepticism, nurses continue to earn Americans' confidence year after year.
However, the downward trend since the pandemic underscores a critical reality: public trust is fragile, even for the most respected professions. This makes it more important than ever for healthcare systems to support nurses through proper staffing, technology that reduces burden rather than adding to it, and policies that prioritize patient care quality.
Looking ahead, the nursing profession is poised for continued growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Join the Conversation at Forward Summit 2026
These findings underscore why events like Forward Summit are so critical. As the profession navigates evolving challenges from staffing shortages to technology integration; maintaining this trust requires continued innovation and support.
At Forward Summit 2026, we'll explore how nurse-first technology design, evidence-based retention strategies, and enhanced clinical workflows can help sustain the trust that nurses have earned over 25 years. Join healthcare leaders, innovators, and frontline nurses in Orlando this September to shape the future of nursing.
Ready to Shape the Future of Healthcare?
Join us at Forward Summit 2026 where healthcare professionals and technology leaders come together to drive innovation.