Possible new nurse show/pilot

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2007

I also think MASH did. Although Loretta Swit was way too hot for goofy Maj. Burns, she was portrayed as a caring and intelligent nurse. She knew her stuff and didn't rely on physicians to tell her how to tie her shoes.

She was one of my role models growing up. Even now, watching reruns, I still like the way she was portrayed - as a very important part of the healthcare team. She had her specific duties, and she had her team of nurses to manage. Now, even M*A*S*H played the naughty nurse card (especially whenever Hawkeye was near them) but no show is perfect.

I've also liked how nurses are portrayed on Scrubs. Yes, there have been plenty of episodes where it seemed that the nurses were only there for one reason - to make coffee for the docs - but for the most part, they are right on. They show that nurses pretty much run the daily ins-and-outs of the hospital, and that they know just as much as the docs but don't have the same kind of power. And instead of making their top nurse, Carla, aspire to be a doctor...they show her being happy with her career as a nurse. She even cut her maternity leave short because she missed her job and felt it was such a big part of her. In one early episode, when it was clear that she was frustrated with her lack of authority, instead of the docs convincing her to go to med school, the role of nurse practitioner was suggested.

And let's not forget when Rick Schroeder played the cute male nurse...

Cattitude · Mar 7, 2007

i've also liked how nurses are portrayed on scrubs. yes, there have been plenty of episodes where it seemed that the nurses were only there for one reason - to make coffee for the docs - but for the most part, they are right on. they show that nurses pretty much run the daily ins-and-outs of the hospital, and that they know just as much as the docs but don't have the same kind of power. and instead of making their top nurse, carla, aspire to be a doctor...they show her being happy with her career as a nurse. she even cut her maternity leave short because she missed her job and felt it was such a big part of her. in one early episode, when it was clear that she was frustrated with her lack of authority, instead of the docs convincing her to go to med school, the role of nurse practitioner was suggested.
and let's not forget when rick schroeder played the cute male nurse...

i love scrubs! it's one of the only sit-coms i watch at all. i do like the prtrayal of nurses as well and even the dr's. they make them look human instead of know it all gods.

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[color=#483d8b]as far as this new show, i'm sure they will delve into the lives/loves part deeper than the actual working nurse part. ah, well we'll just have to see...

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2007

Maybe TV has influenced me in becoming a nurse. My very first crush was at 5 years old and I was desperately in love with DR. Kildare (richard chamberlain) didn't really like Ben Casey. I never could miss an episode of MASH and spent time in patients room as a CNA watching General Hospital. Let's not forget the impact that St.Elswere and Chicago Hope played. I was programed to become a nurse.

Oh, man, I may be only 33, but I know enough to know that Richard Chamberlain is HOT - and seeing him as a priest in THE THORNBIRDS only made him that much....well, hotter!

Personally, unless this show is exceptional, I don't think it will last. And in an attempt to get it to last, they'll sex it up.

Sorry I'm so cynical, but I can't help it. The track record for this sort of show just isn't good. And it won't help the nursing shortage, unless it can generate money for instructor's salaries and more facilities and clinical sites for schools. The problem isn't a lack of applicants, as the pre-nursing board should show.