Manitoba nurses got the highest marks for providing quality care and are the most trusted health care professionals, according to a recent survey.

"It is especially gratifying to see these results in times of a nursing shortage and when we are facing challenges such as H1N1," MNU President Sandi Mowat said. "That the public has such faith in us is a great boost for our morale."

The survey, carried out by Viewpoints Research Ltd., showed that nearly eight out of ten Manitobans said that nurses provide excellent or good care. The public's satisfaction with nurses stayed almost the same since a survey done in 2007. Doctors came second in the ratings, followed by health care aides.

Nurses are also very important to the quality of healthcare, the survey found. Around 75 per cent rated nurses extremely important (5 out of 5) to the quality of health. Less than one per cent rated nurses as not important. Three out of four surveyed said they trust nurses the most to tell them the truth about health care information.

Although Manitobans surveyed say nurses provide the highest quality of care and are well trusted, the issue of shortages was raised. More than 80 per cent of people surveyed believe there is a nursing shortage, increased from previous research.  Only about one in eight people surveyed believe there are enough nurses working in the province.

Support for the Manitoba Nurses' Union has remained steady. Slightly under half of all people surveyed rated the union as a trusted source. Those surveyed view the Manitoba Medical Association as slightly less trustworthy than the MNU.

The survey conducted in June is a random sample of 813 adult Manitobans. A sample size of 813 has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 per cent.