The use of unlicensed assistive personnel: an update and skeptical look at a role that may present more problems than solutions

Abstract

Patients implicitly rely on nurses to be their advocate. They trust nurses for health care information (92%). Approximately three fourths of Americans rated nurses' honesty and ethics as either "high" or "very high, placing them above any other profession. It is time to reconsider the full implication of Florence Nightingale's admonition to do the sick no harm in terms of staffing.