Nurse Jackie is a strong-willed woman balancing a hectic work life with a complex personal life, all the while fighting the healthcare system. She tries to be all things to everyone.

But when you’re constantly trying to be all things to everyone you do need a coping mechanism. Nurse Jackie gets through the rough days by relying heavily on prescription pain medication.

Let’s take a look at other professionals who are a little rough around the edges.

Don Draper from Mad Men
As the head of the creative department at advertising firm Sterling Cooper Draper Price, Don Draper has lots of swag; he’s as charming as they come and irresistible to women.

But Don’s slick veneer hides a dark secret: during the Korean War, he stole a dead man’s identity in order to leave his old life behind and reinvent himself as the ultimate Mad Man.



Mike Ross from Suits

“Pot smoking college dropout” doesn’t exactly describe the average lawyer but it’s a perfect description of Mike Ross.

In the season premiere of Suits (currently available on DStv OnDemand) Mike agrees to deliver pot to his best friend, only to find that he’s being set up. To ditch the cops, he slips into a law firm that just happens to be holding job interviews. Because of his photographic memory, he gets a job over all the other applicants who actually have law degrees, proving that you don’t have to be a bookworm to land a top job in Manhattan.

Catch Suits on M-Net and M-Net HD Saturdays at 20:00.

Greg House from House

Much like Nurse Jackie, Dr Gregory House works in the medical field and is addicted to prescription medication. But he isn’t the tender and nurturing type. In fact some would even call him heartless.

But just because he complains about being in pain more than his patients do, doesn’t mean he doesn’t care. Or does it?

House airs on M-Net Series, Wednesdays at 21:00.
Catch the season three premiere of Nurse Jackie, tonight at 23:05 on M-Net and M-Net HD.