Introduction. The contemporary nursing, in items of quality, aims at providing much better care both in unwell and well being of people.
One of the important tasks is to become familiar with the social opinion concerning the model of the contemporary nurse in order to
understand and realize the professional role much better.

Aim. The aim of the study was to know the social opinion concerning the model of the contemporary nurse.

Material and methods. The surveys were carried out among the adult patients of the Provincial Hospital in Włocławek in the period from
January to February 2008. They involved 90 people staying in the four different wards. The method of the survey was a diagnostic poll with
a questionnaire.

Results and conclusions. The surveyed valued meticulousness and care in carrying out treatments and warmth and politeness in the
attitude towards the sick the most. The respondents valued the nurses’ level of education and their specializations a lot. Most of the surveyed
expect very good nurses’ care as well as their support. The surveyed trust the nurses and assess their professionalism very well.