Despite being highly respected and well-trusted sources of healthcare information, nurses are not viewed as having much influence over healthcare reform, according to a recent Gallup survey.

Opinion leaders in various industries said that nurses are not generally thought of as decision makers or revenue generators. But respondents, who came from the insurance, health services, government and other industries said nurses are a trusted source of information on a number of different healthcare-related topics. Those surveyed felt nurses should have more influence over healthcare reform. The onus is on nurses to educate the public and opinion makers as to their decision making value, according to Pamela Rudisill, president of the American Organization of Nurse Executives. Gallup conducted the poll on behalf of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Nurses are consistently rated the most trustworthy professionals in the nation. An annual Gallup poll released in December found them at the top of the list for the eighth year in a row.