In its annual review of the way nurses are portrayed in the media, the nonprofit Center for Nursing Advocacy says that nursing's image on TV needs intensive care. Most of the best depictions of nurses in 2006 appeared in print; the worst, on TV.

The award for best media depiction of nursing went to a front-page New York Times article that examined the potential impact of a Senate bill that would repeal some immigration restrictions for nurses. But the popular television show "Grey's Anatomy" was roasted for routinely portraying nurses as "pathetic losers." Johnson & Johnson's Campaign for Nursing's Future was also criticized for airing recruiting commercials that reinforce handmaiden and "emotional angel" stereotypes.

To see the fourth annual Golden Lamp Awards for the best and worst media portrayals of nurses in 2006, visit http://www.nursingadvocacy.org.