High Anxiety
Recommended by: algoyo, Richemont, roadrunner34, zigagiz
Nurse Diesel has been identified by many readers as a screen nurse who is deserving of a place in the top 10, and is remembered for her quirky dialogue in Mel Brooks's High Anxiety. Reader algoyo describes her as the “best nurse ever” and zigagiz writes that “no nurse in movie history even comes close to Nurse Diesel” Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex Features
The Tall Guy
Recommended by: FirstWorlder, Doug McLean, broomersp
It seems that readers' fond memories of Nurse Kate Lemon in Richard Curtis's first ever screenplay, The Tall Guy, are largely coloured by Emma Thompson's expert interaction with the character. Broomersp describes the character as “Emma Thompson at her best” Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex Features
The English Patient
Recommended by: leicam3, Huples, AndyJK, edwinluxman
Hana, a Canadian army nurse in Anthony Minghella's 1996 screen adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient – described by edwinluxman as the “nurse who believes anyone she loves will die” – is another character described as the “best screen nurse of all time”, this time by Huples. Many readers also comment on the Juliette Binoche's portrayal of Hana, with AndyJK describing it as “a wonderful performance” Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex Features
M*A*S*H
Recommended by: Muzzzerz, CaraLouise, Tractarian, distoviolin2
Far and away one of the most popular nurses among readers, Major Margaret Houlihan is the head army nurse of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Major Houlihan – also known as 'Hot Lips' Houlihan – was played by Loretta Swit in the long-running television adaptation of Richard Hooker's novel Photograph: Rex Features
China Beach
Recommended by: MsDimple, Glenn Petrusch, Nialler
Colleen McMurphy, played by Dana Delaney, is a nurse in the Vietnam war series China Beach. MsDimple describes McMurphy's character as “refreshing”, as she was “a nurse who wasn't bursting out of her uniform or playing for laughs or just seen scuttling around in the background”. Glenn Petrusch praises the show for giving a “different perspective of war service” and also writes that Colleen McMurphy is “the best role of Delaney's career” Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex Features
Atonement
Recommended by: JaneSalvage
JaneSalvage praises the character of Briony Tallis in the screen adaptation of Ian McEwan's Atonement for challenging sexist gender stereotypes. She writes that “like her original in Ian McEwan’s well-researched novel, she is capable of great evil and great good, and is dedicated to her patients. Just like most real-life nurses” Photograph: Everett /Rex Features
Emergency – Ward 10
Recommended by: Quaestor, PeleMcAmble
Described by PeleMcAmble as the “first and original screen nurse”, Nurse Carole Young is a character from Emergency – Ward 10 who is much-loved among readers. Emergency – Ward 10 is also cited as being particularly important to this list as it was “probably the first British soap opera” (according to Questor). PeleMcAmble remembers that he was admiring Jill Browne's portrayal of Nurse Carole Young at the very moment when President Kennedy was assassinated Photograph: AP/Rex Features
Doctor Who
Recommended by: AGeekTragedy, Doug McLean
Nurse Rory Williams of Doctor Who is a clear favourite among readers. Williams becomes a companion to the 11th Doctor after being introduced to the series as a nurse in a coma ward and the object of character Amy Pond's romantic interest Photograph: Adrian Rogers/BBC
Testament of Youth
Recommended by: sandydog, hapenne
Vera Brittain's autobiography was adapted for the screen (in the form of a television mini-series) by Moira Armstrong in 1979, starring Cheryl Campbell as Brittain. Praising Campbell's portrayal of the First World War nurse, hapenne suggests that this nurse should be “top of the list” Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
ER
Recommended by: mastermcguire, sabelmouse, bokslukaren, cornerswell, tynegal
Nurse Carol Hathaway is praised by mastermcguire, who regrets that “history has not been as kind to her character as it has been to some of the other nurses listed here. The men were definitely the stars of that particular show.” However, another fan of Nurse Hathaway, sabelmouse, refutes this comment by writing that “ER is one of the most women-friendly shows ever” Photograph: Sven Arnstein/Associated Press
