If you have cable TV and subscribe to Showtime- On Demand, you have probably seen the advertisements for the new series "Nurse Jackie" which will premier on June 9Th of this month. What clips I have seen sparked my interest to make a date in front of the TV and catch the first episode and then decide if I would be a follower.

Two days ago, I was listening to the typical morning news shows and channel skipping during the commercials. I hit on the Showtime channel and discovered Nurse Jackie, first episode was up for early viewing. Could this be true? I know I was not dreaming, and I had already perked a pot of morning coffee.

I cheated. No doubt about it. I decided to get the biggest cup of coffee and check out this new series before the rest of the family, and it was great. Finally, a series about nursing that does not make nurses appear to be idiots or hand-maidens to the physician in charge.

I am not going to spoil your chance to discover the plot of the first episode on your own, but I would like to comment on the character of "Nurse Jackie". It is true for many nurses to feel exhausted and not appreciated for the work they do in caring for patients. Health-care predicts the long hours, averaging 12 hours per shift. Combine 12 hour shifts with just enough time for a meal break, heading home to take care of the family, sleep, and wake up to another day at work can be the recipe for many nurses to feel tired and cranky, at least for part of the day.

"Nurse Jackie" plays that role well. After thirty some odd years of nursing, I can honestly say that I may have worked along side another nurse who may have needed of "bump" of stimulant to help them through the day, but that is not the norm. In "Nurse Jackie's" case, the knowledge of her need for a "pick me upper" provides added character to the role of her unusual behavior.

The reality of nursing, so well done in the show, is the interaction between "Nurse Jackie" and a physician working in the Emergency Room. Typically, nurses take on the role of following physician orders to care for the patients medical issues. The series brings to life the role of nurse/patient advocacy. "Nurse Jackie", in the role of an advocate does what her "gut" feeling tells her to do for the patient. This puts her at odds with the physician in charge with surprising twists in the outcome. She questions the physician's plan of care against her professional clinical observations. In reality, nursing has been doing this for some time now and physicians are usually receptive to suggestions because nurses provide over 90 percent of direct patient care. Patients open up to the nurse providing their care, and patients trust the nurse.

Last ,and all important is the fact that nurses are usually the person left to deal with the outcome of medical treatment in the Emergency Room. The nurse is that one person who sits with family members trying to accept the negative outcome of death to a family member. Nurses have comforted when there is no one else to do so.

The "Nurse Jackie" series is a hit in my mind. Bringing real-life nurse feelings, emotions, and challenges should certainly keep the audience coming back.

See my article on the 2nd episode at:

http://hubpages.com/_2jp7c9kboq7ru/hub/Nurse-Jackie-2nd-episode-holding-true-to-form

http://hubpages.com/_2jp7c9kboq7ru/hub/Nurse-Jackie-3rd-episode-What-is-believable