Since there is such a shortage of nurses, we cannot really afford to have a negative image or a wrong interpretation at that. That is why it does not help that medical shows on television kind of get the profession wrong. Some of the time they show doctors doing a lot, but truthfully, I think that nurses do most if not all of the work, which is fine. They do not just sit around waiting for the doctor to bark orders at them or to have them fetch something for them. Do not get me wrong, I like to watch medical shows like "Hart of Dixie", "Grey's Anatomy", "House", "Scrubs", and "Code Black". However, I wish they would not downplay what nurses actually do every day. They are there for the patient every day and every night depending on how long a patient is there or how long they see them for. They go and check on them every hour or more if needed to. They get them whatever they need to make them feel more at ease and comfortable in whatever situation the patient is facing.
Also, why is there even a nurses shortage to begin with?! To me, it does not make sense at all. There are a ton of places where nurses can work such as hospitals, doctor's offices, military, clinics, assisted livings, correctional facilities, and schools. Could it be that potential nurses are too picky in their search for a nursing job? Or could it be that some nursing schools do not accept the maximum amount of people they have spots for? Nurses nowadays are a lot older and are soon retiring or have to go back to get a now mandatory Bachelor's degree at colleges. People certainly are not making it easier for the nursing profession to break this shortage problem.
Most people also think that nursing is a female’s job and that if men do it, they are not man enough or think that they are weird. Luckily, it is not as much like that anymore. In the 21st century with women fighting for equality, the nursing profession should welcome male nurses as should other female stereotypical professions.
Therefore, whenever you are watching a medical show that does not quite get the facts straight and correct, just remember that it is in fact just a television show and they are just making a story and not sticking with the truth and reality of everyday life and professions.
