How We Portray Nurses on TV Affects Real Nurses

How we portray Nurses on TV affects real nurses

You don’t need to be in the field of healthcare to understand nurses are at the center of the health system worldwide. Anyone who has had to deal with the suffering of a loved one or who has suffered an illness of their own is aware that nurses are the glue connecting healthcare teams during times of crisis. by combining empathy with expertise and science and soul.

However, it is true that entertainment seldom captures the full range of what nurses are, what they perform, and all they can do for families, patients, as well as colleagues. Too often, in the real world, nurses in movies and on television are portrayed as a victim or sexualized or demonized — which is when they are depicted in any way.

The misrepresentation or underrepresentation of nurses can result in a negative and traumatic impact on real-life nurses.

I am the object of my affection

“The “naughty nurse” trope is not a brand new trend in popular media. It’s so common within our society that it’s a regular popular choice for Halloween costumes and theme parties too.

It is important to note that the sexualization of nurse characters is not restricted to the sexy B-movies made for hormone-saturated teenagers. In fact, many of the most well-known medical dramas that have been produced in the modern media have played with this stereotype.

Think about, for example, the iconic character Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the multi-award-winning show, MASH. Filmed by the beautiful Sally Kellerman, and on television by equally gorgeous Loretta Swit. Houlihan, even though she is an extremely skilled and tough wartime nurse, is most well recognized for her sexy romance with Army Doctor and freakish buffoon Major Frank Burns.

In the following decades in the following decades, the tendency to characterize nurse characters primarily by their relationships with their partners will continue. This is seen in a long-running, critically acclaimed film, ER.

Indeed, a key aspect of the show’s plot in the premiere episode concerns the attempted suicide of the head nurse Carol Hathaway, who is probably depressed by the ending of her romantic relationship with the heartthrob and womanizer Dr. Doug Ross, played by a rising star George Clooney. The couple’s on-again-off-again relationship is likely to be the main storyline of the show throughout the seasons to come.

A Sex Object into Demon Seed

If nurses on TV aren’t being presented as sexual objects or apathetic love interests for male doctors around them, then they’re typically depicted as the epitome of the worst fears that patients have. One of the most notable examples can be seen in the recently released Netflix show, Ratched.

Based on the famous character with the same name that appears in both the novel as well as the subsequent film The One Who Fell Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Nurse Ratched is a psychopath who is sadistic. She wields power over her colleagues and patients with unending cruelty, and often is seen to revel in the suffering and terror she is able to inflict.

In this manner, the mythology of the demon nurse could be seen as an expression of reflection of deep social fear. Specifically, a woman who is knowledgeable and powerful like the one nurses have is portrayed as a serious threat to men, specifically who are most vulnerable, such as when they are under the care of Nurse Ratched “care.”

It’s Vanishing

As widespread as the sexualization, objectification, and demonization of fictional nurses might be, the most prevalent type of depiction is the absence of any representation whatsoever.

In some of the most popular and well-loved shows, nurse characters don’t get even mentioned. Instead, the main focus is on the doctors, their exploits, and their relationships with their patients as well as with their colleagues.

When nurses are consulted even once, it’s generally done with the air like an afterthought as if they are there to fulfill the directives by their health care “superiors.” They execute medical orders but seem to be unable to exercise any autonomy or authority in their personal lives.

Examples of representations of this kind or absence of representation There are a lot of examples. The shows like Grey’s Anatomy, House, and The Good Doctor revolve almost all of their characters as doctors. This is an utterly inaccurate representation of the extent to which nurses participate in treating patients and planning. In fact, in reality, when it comes to developing relationships with patients and promoting their rights more frequently than likely, it’s the nurses, not doctors that lead the way.

Takeaway Takeaway

Nurses who are real-life can save lives and bring comfort. They help us navigate the darkest moments of our lives. They are advocates, scientists, and nurturers, as well as Gurus. The glue they use to hold our modern health system.

Unfortunately, you wouldn’t know this if only media reports were your sole source of information about the current nurses.

In both television and film Nurse characters are often shown as mindless sexpots, that’s the sole purpose, meaning, and value is getting to, or in the case of bedding on one of the rich doctors, they collaborate with.

In fact, in many of the most popular and well-known medical dramas nurses are not featured in any way. The main focus is on the doctors, their petty blunders, and their relationships with patients and each other.

When nurses are consulted in any way, it’s typically done with the appearance of an afterthought like nurses are there to fulfill the directives from their medical “superiors.” They execute medical orders but appear to be unable to exercise any autonomy or power that is their own.

Examples of representations of this kind or the lack of them There are a lot of examples. The shows like Grey’s Anatomy, House, and The Good Doctor revolve almost all of their characters as doctors. This makes a big mistake in the way that nurses are involved in the care of patients and treatment planning. In reality, when it comes to creating relationships with patients and advocating for them more frequently than likely, it’s the nurses, not doctors that lead the way.

the Takeaway

Nurses in real life can save lives and bring comfort. They help us navigate the darkest of times. They are advocates, scientists as well as nurturers, and Gurus. The glue they use to hold our modern health system.

However, you would not be aware of this if the media’s representations were your sole source of information about the current nurses.

In television and films Nurse characters are often shown as mindless sexpots, whose only meaning, value and function is finding, or at the very least, bedding one of the rich doctors they collaborate with.