The Public Still Perceives Nurses To Be Caring And Hardworking

Most British people believe nurses are caring, understanding and hardworking, according to new research from the MORI Social Research Institute.

The survey, for Nursing Standard, shows 81% of British people still believe nurses are caring and understanding. The poll also shows:

• 79% think of nurses as 'extremely hard working'
• 42% think nurses are well educated.
• 12% think nurses are better at their job if they are female (compared with 33% 19 years ago)
• 15% of 15-24 year olds would currently consider becoming a nurse
• 100 years after her death, Florence Nightingale is still the best known nurse in Britain.

Technical details

MORI Social Research Institute interviewed a representative sample of 2,154 adults aged 15+ face-to-face at home in November 2003 across Great Britain. The data have been weighted to the known profile of the population.