It’s okay to admit it. We all watch them. Guy, girl, old or young, we’re all secretly wondering if Meredith’s snoring will continue. Fine, maybe we’re not all wondering that. But we’re intrigued by Hugh Laurie’s Golden Globe-winning character House. We’re still deciding whether or not we liked the all-musical “Scrubs” and we’re wondering if “ER” will still be on the air when the world is worrying about Y3K.

Healthcare dramas on television have quickly earned a spot in our hearts–and in our time slots–on a weekly basis. We relate to them, talk about them, and watch them until the agonizing, cliffhanging season finales.

But not everyone is a fan.

The Center for Nursing Advocacy, a Baltimore-based group that promotes balanced, accurate, and frequent portrayals of nursing in the media, showed its general displeasure with the way nurses are shown on television in its fourth annual Golden Lamp Awards. The awards, which were released a couple weeks ago, point out the best and worst media portrayals of nurses. According to a press release from the center, print media is among the best in its portrayal in the past year, while the small screen of television is among the worst. In fact, a quick trip to the site (www.nursingadvocacy.org) and a couple of clicks is all it takes to send a letter of complaint to either “Grey’s Anatomy,” “House,” or “ER.”

Among the worst portrayals this year, according to the center:

• Eight episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy:” From the episode “Owner of a Lonely Heart” on Dec. 4, 2005 to “I Am a Tree” on Sept. 28. These episodes, in the center’s opinion, portray nurses in a negative light, and in the process, push all the positive healthcare accolades on the physicians.
• Four episodes of “House:” From the episode “Who’s Your Daddy?” on May 16 to “Whac-a-Mole” on Nov. 21. Again, the center points out that, in these episodes, doctors are providing the bulk of the healthcare, while nurses simply fade into the background.
• Two episodes of “ER:” According to the center, the long-running drama is the biggest offender of showing nurses as “handmaidens.”

 ”The Sopranos” and “Heroes” also found a place on the center’s “worst” list. The only TV show that managed to find the “best” list was “Scrubs.” The comedy-drama earned a spot in the honorable mention section for two episodes where nurses (the character of Carla Espinosa, in particular) are painted in a powerful, competent light.

But overall, the small screen, in the center’s view, failed to come up big in the world of nursing this year.

What do you think about the portrayal of nurses on television? Let your opinion be heard in our poll. (It’s right over there–>)