Brian - just have to add that I agree with you about St. Elsewhere - I loved it for it's realness and also the topics they talked about. One of my favorite shows of all time, another being China Beach - which also dealt very well with the realities and horror of medicine on the front lines... Being a nurse, I love medical shows but Greys has really gone down hill fast - it IS a soap opera and so unrealistic.. I do think that these type of shows should think about their opportunity to educate people and, just important, the way that they portray clinicians. Grey's has been in the dog house for the way they portray nurses, especially - many letters have been written to them and most recently, have appeared in the press about it. I won't get on my soap box here but if anyone's interested, go to the Center for Nursing Advocacy (www.nursingadvocacy.org.

P.S One final thought to leave you with - I can't resist - why does anyone get admitted to the hospital these days, with everything that can be done as an Outpatient? The answer - to receive 24x7 nursing care....