If any buzz is good buzz, then Showtime execs must be mighty pleased right now as nurses react to the new series starring Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie. Falco's lead character is no Florence Nightingale . . . well, unless Nightingale also snorted drugs, had sex on the job, and stole money, just to name a few of Nurse Jackie's proclivities. Some real-life nurses have expressed their anger and dismay:
"I don't know what they wanted from us," said [Barbara] Crane, a nurse in the intensive care unit at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown, N.Y., and president of the National Federation of Nurses. "I have no clue what the screening was supposed to be about," she said. "They couldn't think that those of us in the most ethical profession — and we are the most ethical profession — that we could possibly find that entertaining."
The folks at Showtime maintain that it's just entertainment and "negative publicity is publicity." Plus, plenty of nurses are actually praising the show for presenting a nurse character "with such smarts, fierce dedication to her patients and human contradictions." But Tina Gerardi, chief executive officer of the New York State Nurses Association, has concerns that the show will discourage people from joining the nursing profession.
Do you think TV shows are that influential? Will would-be nurses avoid the profession because of Nurse Jackie?
Photo courtesy of Showtime
Temperley London
My answer: Has House discouraged anyone from being a doctor? Did The Shield discourage anyone from being a police officer?
1exactly, allyace
2If someone is going to be discouraged from entering a profession based on a fictional tv show then they shouldn't enter that field !
3i saw the first episode and i think its great. I'm a nurse and i think its time that there were shows about them, and not the supporting cast. it also shows how most nurses balance work, families (in a good or bad way), and how underrated they are.
4Well, nurses and doctors work unbelievably long hours at noble professions. But, some are exposed and vulnerable to drug abuse. I have personally seen both a nurse and doctor abusing like Jackie; they both lost their licenses.
I love this new show though.
5But no, I dont believe "Nurse Jackie" will discourage anyone from pursuing a nursing degree.
With our economy as it is, Nursing is regarded as one of the most secure professions. And pays very well.
6Um, am I the only one incredibly put off by her insisting vehemently that nursing is THE most ethical profession? You're no doubt ethical, lady, but you personal are another "e" word...elitist.
7allyace I couldn't agree with you more. It sounds to me like a female house. House is extremely popular. And what about Grey's Anatomy where every five seconds two dr's are hooking up in the coat closet? People like to see people with issues. It sells.
8I completely second (or third?) Allyace.
9No, this show will not discourage others from seeking a career in nursing. If anything, it will encourage drug uses and other loosely moraled persons to enter the field. After 28 years in the field, it took this show to make me realize how much of my time I wasted on doing a excellent job for those persons in my care. I thought maintaining life and dignity for every human was important, but now I know getting high, getting laid, and being a b*tch is what it takes to do the job.
10I have been an LVN for 10 yrs. Now going back to school to be an RN. I have known nurses that have hooked up with doctors, abused narcs and sent to therapy, lost their licenses and put patients health at risk. Of course the ones I saw apparently have no code of ethics or morales. I know why I want to be a nurse...I have morales and good judgement and will also take an oath to do no harm. Not all nurses are like "Nurse Jackie". But from a patient view point now, I would be scared to death of the nurse that comes in to take care of me after watching this show.
11I love the show and I also work in the medical profession, and just like previous comments there are staff who abuse narcotics and alcohol (while working), sleep with other staff (while working), and probably steal things as well...it is sad and scary.
12But not all nurses and doctors are like that. People need to remember this IS just a tv show.
Nurses work their asses off, they get hit(just like Jackie) and attacked, various body fluids on them, have to lift (lots of back injuries in nursing), take verbal abuse, run their asses off during a shift seldom getting a proper meal break or bathroom break. And we return the next day, and the next with little or no gratitude or thanks.It's about time that a show did focus on a nurse's POV....
The only thing unrealistic that I noticed was Jackie and her doctor friend actually leaving the hospital for a proper meal break (that just doesn't happen on my unit, and pretty sure it doesn't happen on other units either)
Was I watching the same show as you guys?
1)To my understanding, Nurse Jackie was taking drugs not as a recreational habit but because she has a bad back. I'm not saying her actions are acceptable but it's not like she's a hedonistic drug-taker..
2) Why would you be afraid of someone like her treating you? She was only a b*tch to the guy who cut up the girl in the limo - What was it? 200 over stitches she needed? If I was Nurse Jackie, I'd be tempted to flush the ear down the toilet too. But then again, that's why I'm not in the medical profession......
If anything, after watching the first two episodes, I developed an increased respect for nurses - she's a conflicted character and that's what makes the show interesting. Do you think House would be so popular if he was your regular, respectful doctor?
13Oh god, those stuck-up folks who are doggin on this show do not understand television!
14I truly don't like how they are portraying nurses in this show. We are the most trusted profession and we should be concerned how we are being portrayed. Sure there are those who have life issues but you can find them in all profession. I don't think it will keep people from becoming nurses if that's truly their calling.
15real world is what it is...real. there are pill popping nurses, doctors, lawyers and grocery store clerks in the real world.
television is BASED upon the real world. but, for television and ENTERTAINMENT purposes the real world is sensationalized. otherwise, who would watch?
real world television of the 70's - Dallas or Wild Kingdom. real world television of the 80's - st. elsewhere or 60 minutes. real world of the 90's - I had young children and never watched. real television 2000 to present - survivor, THE VIEW, or nurse Jackie? I guess it all depends on your level of reality vs insanity.
16Come on.... it's a freaking TV show. I'm a NICU RN, ten years of experience, and to be honest, all of the RN's that I know have lots in common with the character. However, the majority of nurses don't access their drugs at work! lol The portrayal of the nursing student is DEAD ON!!! She hasn't been around long enough to be jaded, but it will happen soon.
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