Introduction
Nurses are professionals who help maintain connections between patients and their families during the most difficult life moments. Television (TV) and mainstream media need to showcase that nurses have a central and critical role in patient care and education in ordinary times as well as in extraordinary times, as in the Covid-19 pandemic (Phillips, Hughes, Vindrola-Padros, Petrella, Fern, Panel-Coates & Taylor, 2023). As custodians of compassionate care, nurses deserve recognition for their moral resilience and the innovative ways they cope, ensuring that patients, families, and communities never feel abandoned.
The medium of television can influence peoples’ perception and understanding of many issues through character and script portrayal. Whist the power of TV today can educate by accurately depicting events and roles, inaccurate portrayal can be counterproductive and can reinforce outdated stereotypes, which can lead to nursing shortages. As public perception of nurses will be dictated to a significant degree by what they see on their TV screens, the profession is faced with educating both the industry and the public on the real issues and challenges confronting nurses, nursing care, and the nursing profession today. It is important the impetus be proactive and initiatives are taken to ensure that nurses are accurately represented in the media – not as accessories to a story, but as key players in it. The portrayal of nurses on current television is very different from what was on screens in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The profession will continue to evolve off screen and on screen as the years pass.
Nurses are regularly employed ‘behind-the-scenes’ as medical advisors in many television dramas. More recently, nurses have established themselves as experts in guiding education through media presentations on social and mainstream media. They play a crucial role in educating the public, promoting health, and challenging misinformation. Increased engagement across both social media and traditional platforms is essential to improve public understanding, shape policy, and move beyond outdated stereotypes of nurses as “angels” or “handmaidens,” instead recognising them as highly skilled professionals. American neuroscience nurse, Rachel Malloy, established an online tool to address media training for nurses
- Nurses in the Media®. This tool provides a guide to shape public perception of healthcare and health policy through meaningful media engagement, stating “As the largest occupational group in healthcare and consistently ranked as the most trusted profession, nurses' voices are indispensable in informing and educating the public”. (Nurses in the Media website, accessed 16/3/26.) Media training prepares nurses to speak succinctly and address important points. Neuroscience nurses are regularly across media platforms, interviewed on Parkinson’s disease, stroke awareness and concussion (9news, 7 February 2022). Podcasts like The Nurse Break also gives insight into nursing roles and educational information by nurses (accessed 21 April 2026 www.thenursebreak.org/live-interviews ).
Television dramas
Most people have watched at least one hospital/medical television show. These series have more than their fair share of drama, tragedy, illness, bravery, and humour. All aspects of human life are on display. TV shows often overdramatise working roles in a medical environment. While this makes for compelling TV, it can also cause misconceptions about the profession. Whilst it might seem glamorous and exciting to be an actor in a medical series, the actor may not always agree. Spending some time on set of two Australian medical dramas, the author saw firsthand that these roles are far from glamorous. Rising before dawn, driving for hours following a map by the dim glow of first light, reaching a bush location in a muddy paddock, hot and sweaty as the day unfolds or completely drenched as the heaven’s break, waiting for the right conditions, hair and makeup, setting up the scene and finally for the call to set. Stamina, patience, and a sense of humour is essential. Many actors learn from their own life experiences, researching with nurse relatives or friends and visiting hospital settings or surgeries to accurately gain insight into the role and build character.
Television programs frequently exaggerate the realities of working in healthcare settings. Although this can make shows more engaging, it can also lead to misunderstandings about the profession (Childers, 2024). Scripts are sent for reviews by medical advisors, most often nurses and whilst the director has the last ‘say’ as to how a scene will develop, the advisors have the chance to comment and alter the script. For example, a script was sent for medical accuracy to the nurse advisor outlining that a craniotomy would be performed and that the patient would return to the ward with a full head bundle dressing. Neuroscience nurses would be aware that the head bundle dressing is now mostly outdated. Not only would it be incorrect, but the television station would receive many comments from viewers about the accuracy of treatment. The director was made aware of this, however, for dramatic impact, it was decided that it would be included and went to air (V. Evans, personal correspondence A Country Practice, Seven studios. 2000).
TV nurses appear to have an unduly high incidence of involvement in treating violent scenarios, medical and emotional tragedies.TV characters are issue-lead and character-driven. They are busy and action-packed, as most would know by watching shows like ER, A Country Practice, All Saints, China Beach, or MASH to name a few. Whilst the character’s personal and sometimes professional lives may seem exaggerated and unbelievable at times, roles and characterisations can be ideal teaching opportunities to present information in a recognisable and understandable way to viewers.
The Young Doctors (1976–1983)
In one of Australia’s first medical soap operas, The Young Doctors, the image of the nurse was largely negative – the short, tight uniform with pink pinafores topped with the nurses’ cap (generally at the back of the head allowing a glamorous hairstyle to show at the front), top buttons were never done up, and always a robust authoritarian matron in charge. Nurses “attended” to male doctors and dreamily gazed into their eyes as it was the doctor who “saved lives”. Even the local watering hole was called “Bunnies”, a regular haunt used to ‘debrief’. Sexualized portrayals, such as the “naughty nurse” trope, reduce nurses to objects of fantasy and diminish the professionalism and seriousness of their work. Such depictions can contribute to a lack of respect for the profession. The “angel” image frames nurses as endlessly self-sacrificing caregivers. While it acknowledges their compassion, it oversimplifies the complexity of their responsibilities and creates unrealistic expectations about the emotional demands of nursing. Finally, media representations often lack diversity, typically depicting nurses as white women. This narrow portrayal can discourage people from varied backgrounds from considering nursing as a career.
One of the main characters in this series was the authoritarian ‘dragon’, Sr Scott. A role played brilliantly by the late Cornelia Frances. She did not command respect. She demanded it at any cost and was the knowledgeable ‘villain’ of the show. It was 1976 when Sr Scott entered loungerooms as a force to be reckoned with, whether a nurse, doctor, or administrator, she held her ground, intolerant of fools and respected out of fear. She was knowledgeable and forthright, but she vigorously defended ‘her’ nurses. She made the patient the centre of practice, and nurses the ones who needed her guidance, with everything from nursing care to welfare checks and the need for more starch in their uniforms and caps! Uniforms were to be worn with pride, and she kept a tight rein on ‘her’ nurses, especially from any unwanted distractions from the doctors (V. Evans, personal communication, 16 August 2016).
TV nurses of the 1970’s were down-to-earth and sensible – with ‘sensible shoes’ (notably black Halls). Trained on-the-job, they had knowledge that was learnt through experience at the bedside. They were sticklers for protocol and rules, particularly regarding uniform and the hierarchy. There were definite lines of communication that needed to be adhered to, no matter the circumstances.
In the days of Sr Scott, nurses were generalists and not the specialists that is seen today. She would be quite out of place on television today with a management style totally at odds with political correctness and CORE values (Collaboration, Openness, Respect, Empowerment). Times have changed. They needed to in many respects.
MASH (1972–1983)
During the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the role and image of the nurse was particularly strong and positive. In the US series MASH, Loreta Swit’s character, Major Margaret Houlihan portrayed a strong, intelligent, capable figure representing one of the first Advanced Practice Nurses on TV. She had knowledge, respect, and authority. However, she, like Sr Scott was feared by many and extremely protective of ‘her’ nurses. The flirtatious theme also carried throughout these 1970’s dramas.
The Flying Doctors (1986–1992)
This Australian medical drama began as a mini-series and was so popular that it continued for several years. Doctors, nurses, pilots, and base personnel rotated frequently arriving from the city, struggling to adjust to the harsh rural environment and to gain acceptance within the close-knit local community. Various side stories are woven throughout, including workplace dynamics, relationships, and indigenous health. Nurses were beginning to be seen and heard.
China Beach (1988–1991)
In the 1980’s US series China Beach, Dana Delany’s character Collen McMurphy followed a similar vein to that of Major Houlihan. McMurphy was knowledgeable and strong, yet feminine and in essence, the beginning of the Nurse Practitioner.
A Country Practice (1981–1994)
A Country Practice was a well-loved Australian drama series set in a sleepy country town of fictional Wandin Valley. This show saw the remodelling of nursing in Australia. There was still the ‘dragon-like’ Matron – Matron Sloan played by Joan Sydney. Matron had knowledge and respect as well as a softer side. She was straddling the divide between hospital-based nurse training and the new university nurse training that was just beginning to infiltrate the hospital TV dramas.
In 1989, the character of Lucy Gardiner, portrayed by Georgie Parker, became a likeable fixture in the Wandin Valley Hospital. She was very different to previous TV nurses. She was colourful, zany, and extroverted. A knowledgeable, university-trained registered nurse who was energetic, outgoing, unafraid and at times unaware of the consequences of her actions (before thought). She had a soft side for all her patients particularly those in need. Lucy enjoyed a generous sense of humour and campaigned for serious causes whilst simultaneously educating the public on disease processes, vaccinations and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, with Channel 7 receiving many letters from viewers stating how the show gave them confidence to provide first aid and CPR in real life from what they had seen on the show (V. Evans, personal communication, August 22, 2001).
All Saints (1998–2009)
Television has portrayed nursing predominantly as a female profession and it was not until the top rating Australian drama series All Saints that male nurses were a permanent part of the show. Georgie Parker was the ward’s Nursing Unit Manager (NUM), Terri Sullivan. Terri began her career as a religious sister, a nun who became a NUM! Terri was a hospital-trained nurse who also obtained midwifery and psychiatric training. Her clinical ability and her social skills saw her promoted quickly. She saw the importance of tertiary education and graduated with a degree in Business Management. Like all TV dramas, Terri has been involved in many trials, including watching her friend and colleague shot dead on the ward; another had a stroke (or a ‘cerebrovascular accident’ as it was called at the time); been attacked by a patient; was on trial for his murder; left the religious Order and navigated complex relationships.
Before acting, Georgie Parker trained as a dancer for sixteen years overcoming three teenage years spent in a brace for scoliosis. Her sister is a nurse and through her own life she has been surrounded by medical input, forming her character portrayal of a well-liked, knowledgeable ‘nurse’ on television (V. Evans, personal communication, August 22, 2001).
The nurses portrayed by Georgie Parker and Cornelia Frances are very much at odds - showing the different eras of the nurse. The rank name is different; the uniform; code of conduct; nurse training and the communication channels. The starched veil has gone, and management styles are more inclusive reflecting collaboration, openness, respect, and empowerment (CORE) values. Many nursing procedures are also different, for example craniotomy patients no longer wear a full head bundle postoperatively; spinal surgery pillow packs are now avoided, and patients no longer require days of bedrest postoperatively. Nevertheless, the one thing that has always remained constant is that the nurses advocated for their patients and the nursing care was always central and, in their patient’s best interests.
ER (1994–2009)
One of the world’s most popular TV programs ER, was one of the first shows to highlight the role of the nurse practitioner. Carol Hathaway, played by Julianna Margulies, set up her own clinic attached to the emergency room. Her role was that of Head Nurse, combining manager, teacher, educator, campaigner, and fair trader. She attended staff meetings alongside physicians and surgeons. She instructed new interns and residents. The role was collegial. Her views respected. She exerted her influence, with regards to best practice, based on knowledge and skill, and stood up for herself as well as her staff. Carol reaped the rewards as well as faced the consequences.
Call the Midwife (2012-current)
This long-running British period drama centres on a group of midwives working along-side medically trained nuns in London in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Based on the memoirs of former nurse Jennifer Worth, this drama highlights social issues of the times – poverty, immunisations, tuberculosis, polio, thalidomide, typhoid, oral contraceptive pill, Huntington’s disease, leprosy, meningitis, the National Health Scheme.. to name some topics. It is nurse-led and educational.
RFDS (2021-current)
The Australian television series RFDS, showcases the Royal Flying Doctor Service and has been renewed for its fourth series in 2026. This show has given nurses a higher impact and improved the nurse image in the multidisciplinary team with the roles of flight nurse, mental health nurse, and primary health nurse, all possessing skilled remote nursing capabilities. In this show, nurses are depicted as the backbone of the emergency response team, at times working autonomously, being emotionally resilient, a balanced team player, collaborator, and skilled in navigating both medical crises and high-stress situations, often within the confines of a small aircraft cabin. The show highlights the multidisciplinary team linking the plane, RFDS base, remote communities, and hospitals (V. Evans, personal communication, July 21, 2025). The series underscores the “fly-in, flyout” nature of the role, long shifts spent working in remote and isolated regions, with the primary care nurse focusing on building long-term health care and ongoing relationships in remote communities. Aboriginal communities are well represented and are an important part of the fabric of the show.
TV nursing dramas educating the public
Television medical dramas combine entertainment with public health messaging. They offer a unique platform for education, health promotion, first aid, and disease prevention, while also fostering empathy, raising awareness of health issues, and encouraging critical thinking about healthcare decisions. Whilst they are not always fully accurate – “the director has the last say,” their depiction of the nursing/medical world gives an ability to communicate health-related information effectively to the audience, thus becoming an educational tool (Zago et al, 2024).
Television often depicts nurses as subordinate almost always, to male doctors, as sexualized figures, or in exaggerated and unrealistic situations, which diminishes their professional credibility. These perceptions undermine the vital role nurses play in patient care and clinical decision-making. Although these shows can increase public awareness and promote healthier behaviours, their representation of medical procedures and patient care frequently strays from reality, leading to unrealistic expectations. The impact of such portrayals shapes how audiences perceive healthcare systems and nursing professionals, highlighting the importance of accurate and responsible representation of health-related issues in the media. This is why most television and production companies hire nurses as medical advisors to accurately represent on-screen characters (Hayward, 2023), making scenes more realistic.
Nurses and the Media
In the past (1970s), the dominant portrayal of a nurse reflected a feminised role with a lack of professional status. This had a negative influence on public perception and consequently on the on the profession itself (Fedele, 2019; Gonzales, et al 2023). Therefore, addressing public perception (through media portrayal), reframed the nurse identity which is essential to achieve workforce targets and provide a more accurate description of the profession (Garcia & Qureshi, 2024). This can be seen in television shows of the 1990s and beyond.
The review by Gonzalez et al. (2023) encourages the need for nurses to maintain a visible presence towards addressing accurate images of nursing and nurses presented in the media. This is further carried by specialist nurses such as Rachel Malloy & her Nurses in the Media™ online course – advising that nursing voices matter. Malloy, founder of Nurses in the Media™ states that “If we begin to normalize the idea of nurses having a public voice, we will have a greater impact on our communities. We will bring value to the profession.” This course provides media training tools for nurses to lead conversations whether that be through educating the public, their patients or shaping the future of neuroscience nursing. Further information can be found at www.nursesinthemedia.com . Kim, Baek, Jo, Kim, Cho & Byun (2024) also suggests that media training for nurses improves their professional knowledge, raises public awareness of the nursing profession, strengthens networking and collaboration among professionals, and supports the promotion of public health.
Implications for Nursing
For many years, nurses have had to contend with inaccurate and often unflattering portrayals on TV that shape how the public perceives the nurses’ role, expertise, and capabilities. These misrepresentations can undermine efforts to achieve priorities such as high-quality care, safe staffing levels, and fair compensation. One way to shift this perception is by actively embodying and promoting the image reflected in the media. Weaver et al. (2013) highlight that both recruitment and retention in nursing are closely tied to how the profession is viewed within society. Much of the success of the latter television programs has been the attention to detail, particularly when dealing with medical/nursing matters. Medical advisers, often nurses, work behind the scenes to help writers and directors give life to television dramas. Nursing is not simply a matter of tender loving care, rather it is a matter of communication and teamwork for best practice patient care. In today’s high-tech world, nurses master this constant new and modern technology to care for the patient as well as the patient’s family. Nurses are closer to the patient, not because they are inherently more caring, rather the amount of time spent at the bedside. This time and knowledge allow for safe practice and expert care with skills that are critical in optimising patient outcomes. Nurses serve as the caregiver, decision-maker, patient advocate, manager, coordinator, communicator, and educator. Medications are adjusted, pain is managed, side effects are treated, observations are carried out and conducted with meaning and intervention is instantaneous and communication is two-way.
Images that are seen on TV every day have a significant influence on the perception that is held of characters and groups being portrayed. It is critical to nurses that the profession be shown in a positive and accurate way. The increasing professionalism, training, and responsibility, as seen in today’s TV nurses, is encouraging to watch, particularly compared to that which graced screens several decades ago. This positive portrayal is crucial for the profession’s reputation, standing, self-worth and for its’ future. The powerful medium of television can give rise or fall of roles in public opinion. Enhancing these representations could help attract more people to nursing programs.
Conclusion
The nursing profession is frequently seen in television dramas, and the accuracy of this role can be variable. Nurses need to be media savvy to give a correct account of their roles and educational content. From the early 1970’s, shows such as The Young Doctors portrayed nurses with short, tight uniforms, often subservient to the male medical staff. Over time through TV shows such as MASH, China Beach, and ER, nurses became confident, specialised, and knowledgeable, becoming more vocal, and advocating for patient care.
In the 1980’s A Country Practice and then in the late 1990’s All Saints continued the growth of nurses in TV allowing for education of the public about roles as well as some emergency situations, such as CPR and snake bite first aid with the pressure immobilisation technique. This was further improved through later shows such as RFDS, where nurses are the backbone within the multidisciplinary team. It is acknowledged that whilst television series have a role to play in public education, it remains a drama and the final say as to the script and procedures are still in the hands of the director, even if the on-set medical adviser (usually a registered nurse) suggests that viewers will comment about a storyline. When television and film creators work collaboratively with nursing professionals, they are more likely to produce accurate portrayals of the profession, to reshape the narrative and give the public a clearer understanding of the nurses’ role. Engaging real nurses offers valuable insight into the true realities of the nursing field. Society must be cautious as failure to reframe the nurses’ professional identity, and address public perception (through media portrayal), may contribute to an inability to meet the health care needs of future patients with depleted nurses in the profession.
Nurses have a vital role in the media, helping to educate the public, promote health, counter misinformation, and promote the profession.
Greater engagement, through both social media and traditional outlets, is essential to enhance public understanding, influence policy, and move beyond outdated nurse stereotypes, recognising instead as skilled professionals. Through online and in-person media courses, nurses can become more confident and knowledgeable about how they can better represent their profession in the media. As society grows and changes, so has the nursing profession and as a result what is seen on television screens. Undoubtedly, TV nurses will be portrayed quite differently again in the future