Is the NBC Show 'ER' Realistic?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi,

I'm a nursing student and no I didn't decide to become a nurse after watching ER! (ha ha) I wanted to be an MD as a child then switched my career goals to nursing in middle school. Started working on my BSN straight out of high school but took a "marriage and kids" break. Now I am 26, married with two kids (4 & 2) and hoping to graduate with my BSN May 2004! Anyway back to my question, I *do* enjoy ER, it is my favorite show but I wanted to ask you real nurses if ER a *realistic* portrayal of nurses and what their days working in a hospital are like?

My biggest giggle comes when the docs and residents take an overwhelming interest in the patient's social well-being. The docs in our ER don't even acknowledge the psycho-social aspects, much less take a personal interest in it! Episodes where they follow the patients home to see if they are taking their medication properly, etc. etc. 'round here, they just holler for social work, or CPS or APS, you know? :)

I enjoy ER, but REALLY enjoy the Lifetime Health channel. All the reality you can handle!! As a student nurse I have learned allot just watching and listening. You can see anything from stitches to "ectomy" and more!!! Hubby won't watch either one....guess that's why he's a paratransit bus driver!! LOL!

I rarely watch ER anymore. I used to watch with my roomates. One is an ER doc and the other is an attorney. The attorney loves it and was constantly telling the doc and me to shut up and quit ruining it for her by pointing out all the unrealistic goings on. The most blatant consistent error is all the time these people have to carry on a personal life. When I worked in the ER, the only time anyone ever stood still for a minute was when we were waiting for a disaster to come in the door.

Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.

Love the show. I also enjoy critiquing it. Some of the stuff that happens is just way too silly too take seriously.

I have yet to see any show that protrays nurses realistically or even close to it.

As far a ER goes. Did you notice almost every code situation the patient goes on to live?

Actually the opposit is true. I drove hubby nuts all thorough school critiquing this show. Now I never see it. Is it still on?

I came home after my first terminal wean (a new LPN). I had seen others, but this one was mine. The doc tried to duck facing the family. I was prepaired and made him at least come in and do a face to face with the family. I could not believe it. He told (unknown to me) the family, that the patient would die quickly within 2-3 minutes of turning off the vent. Of course Doctor Corrageous was not there for the grand event. I came home and asked my hubby what he thought happened in a termainal wean. "They flat line." I asked, how quickly. "Immediately" Where did you get this info. "ER". Shows like this do a diservice to everyone. This family also told me they expected a quick death because that's the way it is on ER, a realistic show".

People believe what they see as an accurate portrayal as they are told a show is the most realistic show. That does not make it realistic, just the closest thing to reality than any other show. It's entertaining but not reality. It's an unrealistic portrayal of doctors at best. At worst it insults nurse's role.

It was 18 hours before this patient expired. The family suffered greatly and needlessly because they were not properly prepared. I learned a lesson, and never again will I allow this to happen.

It's entertainment period.

Ah ER - I don't bloody THINK so!

Okay - they have an MD advisor - Maybe that's why the show is all doctors and no nurses. That's just stupid.

Love

Dennie

I marvel in the care they give and the patient receives. Our CT scanner always has a line in front of it and emergencies get stuck somewhere in the middle. And why is it - they always seem to have a bed and don't have to jocky all the patients around to "make a bed available".

Honestly we have lots of beds, what we don't have is nurses. But, that's television and this is reality. And we wonder why society does not seem to understand.

I watch it seldom.

Ok folks lets face it do we watch ER because of the medical stuff. NAHHHH! I love the show but not for the medical side of the show. So ok some of the stuff tickles me. But I watch the show because I like the stories. ALthough lately there have been one or two I was not to happy about. I love Lizzie and Mark. I love Carter, I even love Peter.

:D

I stopped watching ER when the only reason I watched left. George Clooney. :)

I always preferred Trauma: Life in the ER, or The Operation. (sometimes there are real cuties on there too!) There are a whole slew of new med shows on TLC Tues. nights, I think. There's one called Code Blue, that I only caught once. And Maternity Ward is a favorite of mine, love those babies, and it gives me a lot of respect for what the nurses in there go through.

I don't think I know any of the current cast of ER. Except the Doc whose been there since the beginning.

Dr Weaver---- "Cut the nurses some slack due to the nursing shortage" REALITY CHECK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH As if a Dr would ever CUT US SLACK if IT meant FOR ONE......that they did not get their abnormal lab values called to them!!!!! :p :p

wow! A lot of responses :) I *know* it is just TV and that it isn't reality;) but because I'm not a nurse yet I don't know exactly how unrealistic it is. I was curious as to how nurses react to the show. I ask my mom (an attorney) the same questions about 'the practice' another one of my fave shows. Thanks for all the input! :)

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

SO........... what is your Mom's opinion of The Practice? How about Law & Order. My atty. said that is his favorite. One of mine too. I don't care that much for the Practice.

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