Nurses and reality TV?

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I was wondering what everyones thoughts are on nurses (student or professional) being on a reality TV show?

For example, I'm sure some of you are familiar with VH1's "Of Love" series (Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, Daisy of Love, etc.), Survivor, American Idol, MTV's Real World, and other such shows. If a nurse was picked to be a part of the cast, how would that affect his/her professional career? Would it?

I mean, if you've seen some of these shows, you'll know that there are a lot of crazy people on them: getting drunk, being rowdy, fighting, being overly sexual, etc. I can't imagine this being a very good situation for a nurse (or any other professional for that matter) to be in.

Any time I've watched these types of shows, the cast members are usually looking to be an actor/model/singer, are currently an exotic dancer, or not doing much of anything as far as a job/career goes. So obviously them being on a reality show wouldn't have much of a negative impact on their career. (Maybe with the exception of Survivor or American Idol - I'll admit I haven't seen either.)

What are your thoughts/feelings on this topic? Should a nurse or professional be free to go on a TV show like this, act however they want, without suffering any professional repercussions? Or should their actions be held against them?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

There was a nurse on survivor once. I can understand wanting to do this. Especially Survivor, to see if you can make it. I think you would need to be very careful though. Because yes, the whole world sees you.

I don't know how being on TV worldwide could not change and or effect your life and career.

The Amazing race might be cool too. I would stay away from some of the raunchier ones where they show you dating and drinking to excess.

Go into it knowing that there could be major repercussions to your nursing career, but it could broaden your world and experiences in many, possibly great ways.

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Thanks for the reply :) I think being on Survivor would be fun, especially as a nurse!

I wanted to get some opinions on this because I've always been curious about things like this. Some of these dating shows are wild as all heck, and I think certain situations might be impossible to avoid.

As a joke, I applied to go on a new dating show on VH1. I didn't think I would get picked, but I did. They want me to interview in person this weekend, but I don't know if I should go or not. I'm concerned that if I were to get cast, how long is filming? How long would I be on the show? And most importantly how would it affect my professional career? I can't imagine any patient would feel comfortable being under the care of a nurse they saw on a wild dating reality show, no matter how they acted. Could be fun, could be dangerous.

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i would seriously think about that decision hard, you see how their editing can turn someone's personality totally around. vh1 for crying out loud, horrible reality shows! survivor or amazing race, but a dating show, no, is my vote girlie.

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There was a cast member on MTVs The Real World, in New Orleans, I think, who said she was a med student. Let's just say that I wouldn't want to be her patient after I saw her antics on tv. Also, she sometimes wore a pair of ceil blue hospital scrubs that said " Property of X hospital" plain enough so you'd know that she stole them form the hospital. Real ethical.

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ITA with Melissa. I don't think it is worth the risk.

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What is wrong with being on a reality tv show? Just becasue we are nurse dosen't mean we have to stop being real humans who do wild things and have fun. If you always weigh what you do against your "professional" life, you in the end are going to be a very bored person or at worse a very sorry person. No one ever went to their death bed saying gee I wish I had appeared more professional at work.

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Specializes in Derm/Wound Care/OP Surgery/LTC.
What is wrong with being on a reality tv show? Just becasue we are nurse dosen't mean we have to stop being real humans who do wild things and have fun. If you always weigh what you do against your "professional" life, you in the end are going to be a very bored person or at worse a very sorry person. No one ever went to their death bed saying gee I wish I had appeared more professional at work.

No. There are a lot of things wrong with doing a reality TV show...especially one of the dating variety. Have you ever seen one of these shows? They cast you in a very poor light. They show you walking into some guys bedroom and the insinuation is that you are having sex with that person. Could be you were only using the bathroom...but for the sake of good TV, they will make sure you look like a tramp.

No one says not to have fun in your personal life...by all means, go ahead! Live it up. But, once it's on film...it's there forever. Repeats...internet...word of mouth. You end up looking like the trash they are making you out to be. Then of course, I would imagine that some director would probably take this girl the "naughty nurse" route.

My life is a blast...privately. Publically? I'm a good girl. No one needs to know differently.

I vote NO WAY. Wouldn't touch this show with a 10 foot (stripper) pole. :lol2:

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Several years ago, there was a show called something along the lines of "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire?" and the "winner" was a nurse. I can't recall a lot of details but it turned into an absolute debacle and she subsequently was fired, if I have my facts right.

I think it would depend on the reality show in question, and even then, I personally probably wouldn't chance it. Just my :twocents:.

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Specializes in PICU/NICU.

So what.... you're a nurse... not a nun! If you want to do it than do it, just remember as others have posted, the editing can really make you look bad sometimes. If you are ok with it then might as well try it out- only you know what is right for you.

Besides, we have plenty of TV shows out there casting us in a bad light anyway!

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Specializes in oncology, med/surg (all kinds).

there are a couple things to consider about your this little dilemma of yours. of course, you are absolutely free to live life however you see fit. however, once you are on TV, you take the chance of being misrepresented or misunderstood. remember, hiring managers and HR employees are people too, complete with prejudices and opinions, etc. they can try to check it at the door, but no one can really do that completely. if the person who is in a position to hire you takes issue with anything they see from you, you might be out of luck. it might be no big deal, but then again, it might.

my spouse works in reality TV, in post production. i can tell you that what you see on TV is very different from what really happens. not only are scenes manipulated to tell a certain story (dictated by the producers) but situations are staged to illicit certain reactions and sometimes, things are flat out made up. anything dating related and you are really taking a chance at being exploited sexually on the air. and while you would likely not get fired for appearing on a show, the appearance of impropriety can go a long way in your reputation. but people obviously do it all the time, and probably tons of them have no regrets. it might be worth it to you, but give it a LOT of thought. also, although unlikely, think about the occasional reality star who gets famous, for some scandal, even beyond their target audience (think about jon & kate--who was a nurse by the way). good luck. i think it is great that you are giving thought to the repercussions of doing something like that. and if you decide to go for it--good luck!!!! and have fun!

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

My co-worker was on a dating show last year. Still works with us and actually pitched the show so management, docs and nurses all saw the episodes she was in. I would be concerned about acting too wild, other than that if that is someting you want to do then do it. Its a free country! As for me, I don't see the point. Most of the people that go on dating shows are people that crave the camera and attention (future musicians, actors and what not), they rarely go to find real love.

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