I just this weekend tried to watch the HawthoRNe show, since I don't have HBO or Showtime or whatever, I can't watch Nurse Jackie. But I have been reading all the nurse blogs around the blogosphere and I'm amazed to see the mixed results, some people hating it for all the reasons you mentioned, and some really liking the shows despite it. I didn't like the more soap opera aspects of it but I am still trying to give it a shot, though what with my nursing school prereqs I don't really have time for that. :)