Nurses on Television

In the last few years, nursing has emerged as one ofshows exclusively focused on the professional and
the most preferred professions. It is counted amongpersonal life of nurses. Now out of this, the most
one of the largest healthcare occupations, employingpopular show was "The Nurses" which was
more than 2 million jobs. In terms of salary, thetelecasted on the CBS. This program series was
earnings are above average and better, particularlyfilmed in the New York and primarily emphasized on
for advanced practice nurses, who have additionalthe practiced lives of nurses performing their duties in
education or training. If we talk in context of growtha big urban hospital. The key performer of the
and future prospect then it is one of the topprogram was the Shirl Conway who played Liz
occupations in the United States that have offeredThorpe- the character of an older and experienced
the largest numbers of new jobs and opportunities innurse, and Zina Bethune who played Gail Lucas- the
recent times. However, in the recent years, nursingcharacter of a young and naive nursing student.
as a profession has gained tremendous popularity. ItHowever, it was the year 1964, when Dr. Ted
won't be wrong to state that today nurses are moreSteffen (Joseph Campanella) and Dr. Alex Tazinski
than just healthcare professionals. They have actually(Michael Tolan) brought some new facets to the
become the symbols of courage and sacrifice.show that ultimately resulted in the change of the
Not too long ago, there was the time when nursestitle of the series. And, finally the title of the program
were considered and treated very mediocre towas changed into "The Doctors and the Nurses".
doctors and surgeons, but in present circumstancesAfter this, in the year 1968, a TV series called "Julia"
things has changed drastically. These days nursingwas premiered on NBC. This television program was
profession has great respect and nurses are giventruly significant and it was starred by Diahann Carroll
very much importance. This major transform in thewho played the role of a Julia Baker, an adolescent
perception towards nursing has helped in the rising ofand independent black woman who was in nursing
the emergence of television shows focusing on theprofession and performing her duty in the medical
different aspects of nursing, especially in the Unitedoffice at Astrospace Industries. The key feature of
States.this program was it stemmed around the interaction
Television has always been one of the mostamong different member of a nursing group. Finally,
influential mediums in the human history. Since itsthe portrayal of nurses on television improved with a
introduction, we have all witnessed different sorts ofnew series named "St. Elsewhere" (1982-88, NBC). In
dramas, serials and mega serials, but television shows1990s, another equivalent of "St. Elsewhere" called
that were based on the life of nurses and healthcare"ER," was telecasted. The program was created by
professionals has always pulled the attention ofbest-selling author Michael Crichton, who was even a
viewers and gained high TRP ratings.physician. In recent years, Grey's Anatomy has been
In fact, it was during 1950s when television viewersyet another television show that is primarily revolves
witnessed various medical dramas, and many ofaround the nursing industry.
those were focused on the life-saving heroics ofThus, portraying nurses on TV has always been a
physicians. And, one of the initial shows that gainedmajor trend to make actors respectful and
wide popularity was "The Doctor". Featuring nurses inappreciative of the real thing. TV creators may be
different peripheral roles, this television show wasreluctant to acknowledge the medium's dismissive
telecasted on NBC and one of the most favoriteattitude toward nursing, but many actors who have
programs in1952-53. "Medic", was another televisionportrayed nurses are aware of the fact that it takes
program telecasted on the same channel in 1954-56,lot of effort to understand the character. Playing the
which too received a tremendous response fromrole of nurse is never that easy as in real professional
viewers. The key feature of this show was itlife one has deal with sudden circumstances that
presented different cases from the records of thecould be very difficult. Over the last few years,
Los Angeles County Medical Association that weremedical reality shows have gained popularity in the
highly emphasized on the nursing background.US that was based on the characters of nurses, and
During the period starting from 1962 to 1965, thein the near future, it won't be wrong to expect more
television industry witnessed numerous prominentand more such powerful TV portraits of nurses.