Is 'E.R' the tv show accurate?

Shel_e · Jan 11, 2006

I think ER is definitely more accurate than those other shows, but still not close to reality. Now that I've gone through nursing school and am working as a nurse, I think ER is a lot more interesting. They actually use a lot of words that non medical people would not understand. Now Grey's Anatomy, while I do like to watch once in awhile, is totally off base. But that could be because that main doctor is so wacko !!! :uhoh3:

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Jan 11, 2006

I'd say ER is closest. Gray's Anatomy :chuckle I loved the one when the mom had quints and they all had a different surgical problem, and of course the mom just didn't know a thing until she was 32 weeks pregnant and the perinatalogist was a neonatalogist/surgeon herself :rotfl: And when that doc told the resident to sit by the baby's bedside and then proceeded to say, "She better still be alive in the morning", well I was on the floor laughing, as were all my co-workers.

These shows are for entertainment....they really aren't meant for reality. Want reality, watch TLC or Discovery Health.

Chaya, ASN, RN · Jan 11, 2006

Two part answer-

In terms of medical accuracy, I don't work in an ER but I don't find myself jumping up and shouting at the TV every two minute like I do with some other shows I could think of.

BUT

That's partly because I'm usually too pissed off to watch an entire show; specifically that they would portray any hospital unit of that size, and especially a large and busy city emergency room, as being run with about two nurses. Too much fantasy for me to swallow overall.

carachel2 · Jan 11, 2006

No..not accurate at all. We barely have time to pee yet less contemplate sex in the supply room :chuckle

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2006

All the shows are for entertainment, but ER is the most accurate out of them all. Grey's Anatonmy seems to becoming more of soap opera then a drama medical show. I'm starting to lose interest. ER still is dramatized compared to what really happens. I was watching an episode the other day and they were shocking a patient while the nurse was still bagging.:chuckle

Katnip, RN · Jan 11, 2006

My DH won't let me watch these shows with him. I keep telling him how they're doing everything wrong. Can't imagine why that bugs him. :chuckle

RENAISSANCE RN · Jan 11, 2006

I am not sure about ER, but that HOUSE show is so wrong. Imagine a TB patient in a regular room. With MD's passing meds. LOL What about N95 masks?? The austrailian guy is cute though.

babynurselsa, RN · Jan 11, 2006

I have always loved how they can crack a chicks chest without taking off her bra, much less her shirt.

LanaBanana · Jan 11, 2006

I'm not even through nursing school yet but I drive me roommate crazy when we watch those shows. "They can't do that..." Or she'll ask me what they just said when they rattle off medical-speak and I'll tell her and say "it has nothing to do with what they're doing right now but it sounded good." Unfortunately I love Gray's Anatomy, but it's for the drama, not the technicality. The show itself is kind of dumb - a bunch of surgical interns who always end up in non-surgical situations. How many times do you actually see them in surgery????

ToryAdore · Jan 11, 2006

Imagine residents doing every diagnostic procedure themselves..?. Last week the female resident performed a mammogram. I'm waiting for one of them to do a bed bath.

nursemelani · Jan 11, 2006

I love both ER and Greys Anatomy, even though they are totally unrealistic. That Patrick Dempsey is hot, hot, hot.

I think the scrubs on greys anatomy must be tailored to fit each character. Mine are SO unflattering.