Images of Nursing in Popular Media
Originally aired in July 2010, episode 2 of the first season of the popular television series, Boston Med, provided numerous examples concerning the challenges that are faced by professional nurses today, as well as the personal motivations and rewards that compel them to deliver the highest quality patient care possible. The purpose of this paper is to describe the positive and negative traits that are associated with the nursing characters depicted in this specific episode of Boston Med, as well as a discussion concerning how media portrayals have affected the publics image of nursing to date. Finally, a summary of the foregoing description and discussion is provided in the papers conclusion.
The positive and negative traits associated with the nurses characters
To their credit, the producers of Boston Med focused largely on the positive traits of the nursing staff featured in this episode. Although the point is made that these nurses are vulnerable to the weaknesses and frailties that are part of the human condition, most nurses were depicted as deeply caring, compassionate...
For example, some salient quotes from Massachusetts General Hospital included the following from a physician: This patient is going to get nursed back to health by our angels.
Likewise, a member...
…research showed that accurate portrayals of the nursing profession in popular media are imperative for shaping public perception and
trust. The "Boston Med" episode highlighted both the positive traits of
compassion, dedication, and
teamwork, as well as the challenges nurses face in asserting their expertise. Lingering stereotypes from past media depictions, though, such as the stern demeanor of Hot Lips Hollihan or the cruelty of Nurse Ratched, persist in the public consciousness. Moreover, media representations have failed to keep pace with the evolving nursing role. Therefore, it is crucial for nursing organizations and leaders to proactively cultivate a contemporary image that captures the
professionalism, knowledge, and patient-centric care embodied by todays…
