Information for Parents

Nurse Jackie

Nurse Jackie

Common Sense Media Age 18

Parents Need To Know

Positive Messages
The series features the complex double-life of a talented, compassionate nurse with an addiction problem.
Positive Role Models & Representations
Violence
Given the hospital setting, there's a good amount of bleeding, vomiting, and other graphic injuries -- but not as much as on a show like ER. Examples include a patient losing his ear; another physically attacking a nurse, hitting her hard in the face; another coming in high with serious burns after inserting a Roman candle into his anus; and another needing more than 250 stitches to close her wounds after a violent attack.
Sex
The main character is married but is having an affair with a colleague -- and when they have sex, they do it at work. They're usually clothed, so no sensitive body parts are shown, but you'll see plenty of thrusting.
Language
Frequent, unbleeped usage of "f--k" (and all its permutations), as well as "s--t," "c--t," "c--k," "tit," "Jesus Christ," and "bitch," among others. Characters also use colorful phrases like "suck my dick," "blow me," and "vagina mom" (a more creative way of saying "birth mother").
Consumerism
Expect mentions of brands like Barneys New York, Manolo Blahnik, and Bergdorf Goodman thanks to a materialistic doctor who loves to shop for expensive clothing. Drugs like Zyrtec, Percocet, Seconal, and Vicodin are also mentioned by name.
Education Value
Ease of Play
Privacy
Jackie has a serious dependency on prescription drugs and takes them at least three times a day in various, often desperately creative, ways. She's sleeping with the hospital pharmacist, who supplies her with many of her pills, but she goes to great lengths to keep her addiction a secret from her husband and colleagues. Other characters drink alcohol, and even some doctors -- including a pulmonary specialist -- are shown smoking cigarettes.
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