Introduction. The professional prestige depends largely on how a particular society perceives a given profession. It also depends on its
usefulness for the society so it means that a professional prestige depends on the social prestige of a particular profession. One may assume
that social changes occur simultaneously with the changes concerning the criteria according to which the professional level may be assessed.

Aim of the study. The focal aim of the paper is to assess the level of professional prestige and the professional position of nurses taking into
account the opinions of selected groups answering the question on the factors that determine their assessment.

Materials and methods. The group of 114 people constituted the research material. There were 57 students of Elblag University of Humanities
and Economy and the State School of Higher Professional Education and 57 participants of the University of the Third Age at Elblag University
of Humanities and Economy. The method of an interview has been used. The questionnaire prepared by the author constitutes the tool.

Results and conclusions. Regardless of the group, the level of the professional prestige of nurses has been assessed as an average one. The
assessment of the factors that influence the professional prestige of nurses depends on the group that is questioned. The students maintain
that the economic factor determine the professional prestige of nurses, whereas the participants of the University of the Third Age claim that
is a humanistic factor. The students think that the social and professional position of nurses depends on their education and the level of remuneration. The participants of the University of the Third Age hold that vocational education and scientific activities play important roles.
The professional symbols are assessed by the students, as opposed to what the participants of the University of the Third Age, as insignificant
for forming the image of a nurse.