Medical dramas have been a staple in TV lineups for as long as I can remember. It seems every network and channel has their own one that they’re trying to promote as the best and most shocking. As a nursing major, I’ve watched damn near all of them and these are my personal favorites to binge. Enjoy!
7. Saving Hope
Image Courtesy of CT
The first entry on this list has a supernatural element to it. Saving Hope focuses on a female surgeon whose fiance and fellow doctor died in the first season, but whose spirit roams the hospital. It’s entertaining because it’s unique and it’s good because it focuses on the daily lives of the staff. Also, it’s Canadian. Everyone loves Canada!
6. House, M.D.
House, M.D. was a beloved cult drama that ran for eight seasons. Hugh Laurie plays the titular role: a handicapped doctor who handles only the most elite (and wild) patients and who breaks the rules in literally every single episode. While I’m not a fan of running wild in a hospital, the show is addictive. Bonus points for some weird and memorable cases.
5. St. Elsewhere
This show is from the ’80s and if you ask your parents about it, they’ll go: “Oh yeah, that show existed”. St. Elsewhere focuses on a Boston inner-city hospital. It has dark humor, and chances are the ending of the series is still one of the most WTF TV turning points, but it’s still a gem. You’ll see familiar faces like Denzel Washington and Mr. Feeney from Boy Meets World.
4. Nurse Jackie
I. Love. This. Show. I found Nurse Jackie about a year ago and instantly fell for it. Edie Falco is brilliant, tough, and memorable as the RN dealing with a prescription drug addiction and the hassles of being an ER nurse in NYC. Add in some personal and family drama and you’ll easily binge these half-hour episodes.
3. E.R.
Image Courtesy of CBS Drama
Again, an oldie from an earlier time. E.R. ran for over 20 years and some say it wasn’t long enough. The show focuses on the ER (duh) of a Chicago hospital and the doctors and the nurses that save lives every day. George Clooney, Noah Wylie, and Julianna Margulis were members of the original cast, which grew continuously as the seasons went on. You’ll see more than enough familiar faces and grow to love most of them while you watch on Hulu.
2. Scrubs
Once said to be the most accurate medical show on TV, Scrubs is really the one on this list that has more comedy than drama. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of heartbreaking and thought-provoking moments, but there are even more laughable ones. It follows J.D. as he begins his first year of being a doctor and continues on as he faces moral dilemmas, personal relationship mishaps, and more. Hulu has the entire series online, but it’s recommended to stop at the eighth. Season nine didn’t really need to exist, in my opinion.
1. Grey’s Anatomy
Image Courtesy of ELLE
Are you surprised? Shonda Rhimes’s cult favorite is airing it’s 15th season this year. Known for being absolutely brutal to its fans’ hearts (and for having some surprising deaths), this show is basically a prereq for anyone who’s going into the healthcare field. After watching this series, you’ll feel ready to step into the operating room beside Drs. Grey, Yang, and Shepard. The first fourteen series are currently on Netflix and the new episodes air every Thursday on ABC.
So these are 7 prime medical dramas that should keep you busy till at least next summer quarter. Some are on Netflix or Hulu and some still air reruns on networks today. Enjoy becoming an honorary doctor!