Tv shows that dictate nurses as a "janitor"

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I was watching "House" tonight and I LOVE that show, but it ticks me off sometimes. Have you noticed on that show that everytime there is a mess such as an incontinent patient, House says "We need a nurse in here". Like thats all we are fit for or all we do....cleaning up poo. Ive seen this several times on there. Tonight a patient was incontinent of stool, House says "We need a nurse in here" GRRRRRRR

And, of course, it's the tiny team of doctors that does ALL the patient care and tasks: they put in IVs, they draw labs, they give ALL the patients' meds, they change dressings, they take vital signs. And my favorite: they sit at the bedside, asleep even, so they can be there the moment the patient does anything! ROFL!

And they inform people of a death or a serious diagnosis in a crowded hallway or the parking lot.

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Yeah House is good but it does annoy me about the docs doing everything. Scrubs does the same thing.

I watch very little TV as is. But I certainly would not watch a show based on a physician who practices while being addicted to lortab. And one episode portayed where he actually stole some lortabs also. Personally , I find this concept highly offensive.

I kinda disagree with ya but since you don't watch the show I will explain why. The back story is that House had an infarction in his leg and as a result is in severe chronic pain. So yes he is addicted to pain killers but should he quit being a Dr. because he has to take a pain medication to control severe pain. It helps him perform his job better. In one episode he stopped taking his pills for a week and was in such excruciating pain that he was unable to think straight. Of course I do agree that it was very wrong when he stole narcotics and that should have been portraying with some sort of harsh consequence.

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Actually I've had a couple of patients wondering why I'm doing the Dr's job, such as hanging an IV. Normally by the end of their stay they're reasonably impressed that we do other things than bedpans and waitressing.

I hate House. I don't find the show funny either.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I don't think TV shows "dictate" anything. While I think that the accurate depiction of nurses in medical shows is really quite lacking, I'm pretty sure *most* people understand the difference between TV and reality.

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Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.
\I certainly would not watch a show based on a physician who practices while being addicted to lortab.

His chronic pain is controlled by the Vicodin, which as we know is highly addictive. I would bet that many people that are prescribed Vicodin QID are addicted as well. The addiction is a bad reflection on those that are not in pain. For those that are however, it is merely a side effect. :)

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i remeber an episode where the patient sister helped postioning for the lumbar punctute and she commented to chase after he said she was doing the nurses job it that all nurses do. chase responce that all his boss lets them. it thought it was very reflective of the kimited role nurses are seen performing.

one of the truest episodes i watched was er when cynthis nixon was a guest star as it portralyed more what nurses do and not medics

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Specializes in NICU.
I was watching "House" tonight and I LOVE that show, but it ticks me off sometimes. Have you noticed on that show that everytime there is a mess such as an incontinent patient, House says "We need a nurse in here". Like thats all we are fit for or all we do....cleaning up poo. Ive seen this several times on there. Tonight a patient was incontinent of stool, House says "We need a nurse in here" GRRRRRRR

I always just took it as a reflection of what a wimp House is underneath all the bluster.

In reality, it's just more stereotyping in the media. I also don't assume that all overweight people are lazy slobs....that all fathers are inept morons.....or that all the "pretty people" have equally pretty lives...OR that no one ever has to go to the bathroom.

All it really does for me is confirm the basic principle: that people generally don't worry or think about others...nearly as much as you think they do.

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And, of course, it's the tiny team of doctors that does ALL the patient care and tasks: they put in IVs, they draw labs, they give ALL the patients' meds, they change dressings, they take vital signs. And my favorite: they sit at the bedside, asleep even, so they can be there the moment the patient does anything! ROFL!

That's because all the nurses are smart enough to refuse assignments with his patients... they are dangerous and unethical, even if they are miraculous and dramatic :chuckle

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.
Yeah House is good but it does annoy me about the docs doing everything. Scrubs does the same thing.

I kinda disagree with ya but since you don't watch the show I will explain why. The back story is that House had an infarction in his leg and as a result is in severe chronic pain. So yes he is addicted to pain killers but should he quit being a Dr. because he has to take a pain medication to control severe pain. It helps him perform his job better. In one episode he stopped taking his pills for a week and was in such excruciating pain that he was unable to think straight. Of course I do agree that it was very wrong when he stole narcotics and that should have been portraying with some sort of harsh consequence.

I have watched a couple of shows

He is an addict to the medicine by his own behaviour, and he made light of his addiction in one show. Even offered lortabs to others on the show.

No, there is a difference between controlling pain and the addictive behaviour he has shown. That is totally reprehensible of the shows creator. The show might be better and on its own merits. Without the addictive behaviour. Which serves no merit whatsoever.

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Lighten up, everyone!! It's just a tv show! For entertainment purposes! Whatever gets the ratings is all they're aiming at. :loveya:

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Who cares. Control what you can control. I clean up poop yet my self-esteem is still high.

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Specializes in ED/trauma.
(1) the only one watching would be US! General public would assume it's too boring, since we don't really do anything....

and

(2) no one would believe it: after all, they've been watching TV nurses for YEARS, and NONE of them did what those new Real Nurse characters do.... LOL!!

It would probably end up being a drama. But, instead of scandalous sex behavior and fooling around happening behind so-and-so's backs, there would be a ton of gossiping and catty behavior. I imagine MTV would eat that up! :banghead:

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