Primetime Portrayals

re: Primetime Portrayals

Lorettajo Kapinos — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:50:48 GMT

Can NBC really make that show as good as the preview? I am going to pray that the third time is the charm.

I am following both Nurse Jackie and Hawthorne. Mercy appears to be the perfect mix.

Nurse Jackie has a shocking way of telling the truth. It's not always pleasant to watch, but, as an ER nurse, I know why Jackie is the way that she is. And as far as the drug dependence....she's an educated addict who knows how to HIDE it, like SO many nurses. It's real. It happens. I can only hope they show the consequences as boldly as they show her actions.

Hawthorne has the potential to become cheesy. I liked it, but I fear it's going to go down that path of emotional manipulation.

But Mercy....preview is interesting. Maybe the perfect mix of both. I'm eagerly awaiting fall.

re: Primetime Portrayals

Paula Davies Scimeca, RN, MS — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:31:47 GMT

This article is less than accurate in saying "substance abusing nurses can be a reality..." In an age when every state board of nursing is grappling with the issue of chemical dependency among licensed nurses, thousands of man-hours are spent investigating suspicions of nurse drug-diversion that are found to be true. Millions of dollars are being spent on those nurses who have already become addicted, either through use of substances legitimately prescribed initially or taken recreationally. There must be accurate reporting on this subject. More attention must be given to prevention. Our catchment of nursing students is coming from a population which has millions who have already used prescription opiates without medical need or supervision. The Monitoring The Future Study found in 2008 over 9% of 12th graders surveyed used Vicodin recreationally in the prior year and over 4% had used OxyContin. Please look beyond the protection of image to what nursing is truly about: protecting the health and safety of all, which includes nurse colleagues. Paula Davies Scimeca, RN, MS

re: Primetime Portrayals

LInda — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:25:56 GMT

Please explain to me what you mean by Nurse Jackie not being a sex object. When she allowed that doctor to feel her breasts and then didn't report him or really care she was portraying herself as a sex object. How can you think she doesn't?

Mercy sounds like it is the show to watch. I still don't see how any nurse can watch the Nurse Jackie show. I could only get through the first 10 min and could not watch anymore. And, I would never and do not know any nurse who would NOT spring into action when someone is choking. I find "that" is degrading to the nursing profession to make a face!

re: Primetime Portrayals

evelyn — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:53:13 GMT

I have to say that after watching nurse jackie I am quite pleased with the show. After decades where nurses were either portrayed as hand maidens, martyrs or sex objects it is refreshing to see a real person on tv. Nurse Jackie is neither a hand maiden, a martyr or sex object but a person who with all of her faults performs her role as a nurse with compassion, efficiency , efficacy and with a passion that most nurses can relate to and understand. I have not had a chance to watch Hawthorne or Mercy yet , but am looking forward to nurses being portrayed as real people who make differences everyday in real peoples lives...