At the end of a long day on the job as a travel healthcare professional, there's nothing more relaxing than changing into some comfy PJs, grabbing a tasty snack and indulging in one of your favorite TV shows. There are so many fantastic medical shows in particular out there that are just waiting for you to discover their engrossing plots and engaging characters. In addition to being entertaining, good medical shows may inspire you and even give you new perspectives to view your own professional experiences as a travel nurse or therapist through.
Need some inspiration for a few good, binge-worthy shows? Check out our five suggestions below:
1. 'The Knick'
The first show on our list is not for the faint of heart: "The Knick," which ran for two seasons on Cinemax. It tells the story of the trials and tribulations of the staff and patients at Knickerbocker Hospital, set in the rough-and-tumble streets of 1920s New York City. It's a captivating, stylistic drama that centers on the conflicts that arise when bright doctors and nurses confront an early 20th century practice of medicine that has not yet advanced to the level of their ambitions. Follow brooding doctor John Thackery, played with aplomb by Clive Owen and a cast of unforgettable characters as they work tirelessly to provide quality care as the resources for the hospital run low.
Rotten Tomatoes concluded that the critical consensus for the show was that it was "sincere, emotional period television that takes a down-to-earth, no-holds-barred approach to vital topics."
Just be warned, the scenes can be graphic and intense! But if you love period dramas with a serious bent, "The Knick" may be right up your alley.
There are so many fantastic medical shows in particular out there that are just waiting for you to discover their engrossing plots and engaging characters.2. 'The Resident'
Coming to Fox this fall in a midseason premiere, "The Resident" is about a bright-eyed and idealistic young hospital doctor who's shown the ropes by a senior resident who leaves nothing out about the tough realities of working in modern medicine. The much-anticipated show stars affable "Gilmore Girls" and "The Good Wife" alum Matt Czuchry in the young doctor role, and critic speculation says that much of the plot will follow the treatment of cancer patient, Lily. "The Resident" cast also includes "Revenge" star Emily VanCamp, Bruce Greenwood of "Mad Men" and Manish Dayal who was previously in "Halt and Catch Fire." With heavy drama, thrills and emotion, you won't want to miss this show.
2. 'Emily Owens M.D.'
If you're looking for a light and easily digestible drama, try "Emily Owens M.D." This charming medical drama aired on The C.W. for just one season, which many of the show's fans believe was not nearly enough time with its loveable and relatable main character.
"Emily Owens M.D." is about the experiences of Mamie Gummer, a new doctor trying to navigate the complexities of intern life at Denver Memorial Hospital. Bright-eyed and ready to jump-start her career, thankful to leave high school drama behind, she soon finds that her new hospital is rife with its own cliques, scandal and gossip – not to mention her high school's former queen bee, Cassandra, and her medical school crush Will, are also her fellow interns.
Hooked? Then dive in to this delicious drama that's the perfect form of escapism after a a stressful day.
3. 'The Night Shift'
During the overnight shift at San Antonio Hospital, the doctors aren't just treating patients, but treating their own traumas from their military pasts as well. Tensions arise, personalities clash and authority is challenged as the staff try to come to grips with their new roles in life.
"The medical crises are rapid-fire and improbable, and the doctors who deal with them are easy-to-grasp cutouts in 'The Night Shift,' wrote Neil Genzlinger in a review for The New York Times. "There is plenty here to get your adrenaline flowing but not much to tax your brain."
Give the show a chance, though – not having much to tax the brain can be one of the signs of a great guilty pleasure! Viewers agree, as the show just wrapped up its season four finale on NBC to strong ratings, and are eagerly waiting to see if it will be renewed for a fifth.
"No list of medical TV shows is complete without a mention of Grey's, which will soon enter its 14th season."
4. 'The Mindy Project'
"The Mindy Project" may not be a traditional medical show per se, but it's definitely a worthy addition to any traveling nurse or therapist's Hulu line-up. Created by and starring the uber-talented Mindy Kaling, "The Mindy Project" follows Mindy Lahiri, a talented OB-GYN navigating the complexities of life, love and her career. The laugh-out-loud-funny show will soon kick off its final series on Hulu, so we'll save the spoilers – but trust us, "The Mindy Project" is totally binge-worthy.
5. 'Grey's Anatomy' (plus bonus spin-off!)
No list of medical TV shows is complete without a mention of Grey's, which will soon enter its 14th season with a two-hour premiere on ABC on Sept. 28. As Micheline Goldstein detailed, the last season ended with, as the show's come to be known for, a crazy amount of drama, centering around an explosion in the hospital. Pick up where the action let off and find out what'll happen to your favorite characters.
But in case an entirely new season wasn't enough to satisfy your Grey's obsession, there's also a spin-off coming your way this fall. Yet untitled, the show is set in Seattle and is about a group of firefighters who "risk their lives and their hearts both in the line of duty and off the clock," according Neillie Andreeva in an article for Deadline. Oh, and did we mention it was created by the legendary Shonda Rhimes, who, in addition to Grey's, also gave us "How to Get Away with Murder," "Private Practice" and "Scandal"? With her incredible talent for creating unforgettable stories that hook us right in, this new show is one you won't want to miss.