Why Nurses Are Raving About The New TV Show, The Pitt
HBO Max's new medical drama, The Pitt, premiered on January 9, 2025 with a unique format that sets it apart from similar shows. While ER and Grey's Anatomy have long dominated the medical drama landscape, The Pitt is carving out its own niche with its unique approach to storytelling and its unflinching portrayal of the healthcare profession. Borrowing a concept from the series 24 starring Kiefer Sutherland, each episode covers one hour of a 15-hour shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital.
And following the trend of other recent medical shows like St. Denis Medical, this one actually includes nurses in the story lines. So is The Pitt worth watching?
What To Expect In The Pitt
The first two episodes introduce Dr. Michael "Robby" Rabinavitch (Noah Wyle), the senior attending physician, and new interns as they navigate a chaotic day in the ER. The show's structure allows for a realistic portrayal of the relentless pace and multiple tasks healthcare professionals juggle simultaneously. Key events in the first episodes include:
- Treating a woman with serious injuries from a fall or push onto a train platform
- Handling a child's cannabis overdose
- Dealing with a teen's drug overdose resulting in brain death
- Managing an Alzheimer's patient with pneumonia and conflicting family wishes
The Pitt distinguishes itself from past medical dramas by:
- Following a real-time format, with each episode representing one hour of a shift
- Emphasizing the financial challenges and resource limitations of modern hospitals
- Addressing contemporary issues like the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers
- Focusing on the realistic challenges faced by healthcare professionals
While the show primarily focuses on doctors, it does highlight the nationwide nursing shortage as a significant challenge. Charge nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) stands out as a major character, embodying seasoned competence and weariness. Other nurses like Mateo and Princess have some notable moments, though they are not part of the main cast.
@lizzynesslookbook Something the medical drama made it right. To cast a Filipino nurse. Kudos to this new show, “THE PITT.” #thepitt #medicaldrama #noahwyle #filipinonurse #drrobby #nurse ♬ original sound - lizzynesslookbook
Perhaps the most telling lines foreshadowing how this show may treat its nurse characters differently comes early in the 2nd episode when Dr. Rabinavitch asked why a student doctor ordered an EKG, and he replied: “The nurse suggested it to rule out any cardiac issues.” Dr. Rabinavitch then said: “Well, good call on both your parts. Nurses know what they’re doing. Never hesitate to listen to them.”
@aadelle77 Probably the best medical drama since ER. LOVE! #thepitt #max #medicaldrama #noahwyle ♬ original sound - Angela Noyola
While The Pitt could benefit from more focus on its nurse characters, it provides a gritty and realistic portrayal of the medical field, highlighting the struggles of an understaffed and overworked healthcare system.
What Makes The Pitt Different From Other Medical Dramas?
One of the most striking features of The Pitt is its innovative real-time format, reminiscent of the groundbreaking series 24. This format allows viewers to experience the intensity and unpredictability of a trauma center in a way that feels incredibly immersive and authentic. Unlike the condensed timelines often seen in other medical dramas, The Pitt gives viewers a sense of the true pacing of hospital life, from moments of high-stakes emergencies to the quieter, yet equally important, interactions between staff and patients.
The Pitt also distinguishes itself from its predecessors with its graphic and realistic content. The show doesn't shy away from the blood, gore and even nudity that are an inevitable part of trauma medicine. This unflinching approach to depicting medical procedures and emergencies is made possible by the show's home on HBO Max, which allows for more mature content.
Another area where the show stands out is in its focus on current, real-world issues facing the healthcare industry. The show dives deep into challenges such as nurse shortages, resource allocation disparities, and the ongoing emotional and professional trauma from the COVID-19 pandemic. By addressing these pressing issues, The Pitt offers a more nuanced and relevant portrayal of the medical profession than many of its predecessors. This focus on real-life challenges not only adds depth to the storytelling but also provides a platform for important discussions about the state of healthcare today.
Furthermore, The Pitt’s setting in a teaching hospital allows it to bridge the gap between ER and Grey's Anatomy. While the former was primarily set in a general hospital, and the latter heavily featured surgical interns and residents, The Pitt offers a blend of both worlds. The teaching hospital setting means that a significant portion of the main characters and stories revolve around student doctors, while still maintaining the emergency and trauma focus reminiscent of ER. This unique setting provides opportunities for storylines that explore the challenges of learning and teaching in a high-stakes medical environment.
Nurses & Critics React to The Pitt
Critics have offered mixed reviews for the new medical drama, with many praising Noah Wyle’s and Taylor Dearden’s performances as well as its realistic portrayal of a busy emergency room, many have criticized the uneven dialogue and flat characters while finding the show generally derivative and too similar to ER (including Michael Crichton's estate who is suing).
Nurses, on the other hand, seem mostly in favor of the new show, commenting on Reddit:
- “As dramatic as the show is, and as focused as it is on the physicians, this show was cathartic for me. It made me feel like someone is trying to show the reality of the modern ER and I think it succeeded. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.” - Archimedes-Jack
- “Love it. It’s 80% accurate, and I think that’s about the best we can hope for from Hollywood. His clap back to admin about them being simply unwilling to pay nurses decent wages and staff appropriately? That’s worth a f#$%ing honorary Emmy right there.” - ernurse748
- “It’s a good show. The protagonist’s lens is the idealism that we used to all possess. Until Press Ganey and COVID that is. I love that Noah Wyle produced/acts; ER was one of the shows that influenced my career decision.” - Kooky_Avocado9227
- “I always wish there was an accurate depiction of the ED, then I see something like this and think, ‘why would I want to watch work, when I’m not at work?’” - yunbld
So nurses, what do you think? Will you give The Pitt a try? The first two episodes are available to stream on HBO Max now with the remaining thirteen episodes airing weekly on Thursdays until April 10. Let us know your thoughts on @nurse_org Instagram!
If you have a news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today! Or email info@nurse.org.
