An epiphany in the media: A nurse portrayal that rings true

by Lorri Stanislav, BA
Modrn Nurse

By definition, an epiphany is the sudden revelation of an ordinary object or scene in an illuminating way. Well, it appears that at least one medium, television, has indeed had an epiphany. Now, when you turn on your TV, an ordinary nurse is revealed, in ordinary nurse-type settings, yet she is strong, smart, and dynamic. Aha! And there is an added surprise: It just so happens that her name is Epiphany!

It’s no secret: Nurses have been slamming the media for decades for their inappropriate portrayals of nurses as everything from servants to temptresses to bubble-headed accessories in medical settings. “When will someone portray nurses as they really are – hard-working, dedicated patient advocates and not the readily available playthings of licentious doctors?” outraged nurses have historically lamented. Well, take heart, outraged nurses, and allow us to introduce you to Epiphany.

When nurse Epiphany Johnson joined ABC’s daytime drama, General Hospital, we saw more than an ordinary nurse. We saw an extraordinary nurse whose entertaining portrayal of the role keeps the integrity of nursing intact. If you are a fan of General Hospital, you know who Epiphany is and why fans love her. For those of you who haven’t had a chance to catch Epiphany’s performance, quick, find a friend with TiVo!

Actress Sonya Eddy plays the role of Epiphany Johnson on General Hospital, or “GH,” as fans call it, a daytime drama that has been on the air for 43 years and is watched by many people who work in healthcare. Eddy’s character, Epiphany, is a no-nonsense, confident, knowledgeable, experienced, and slightly dominant nurse who keeps the rest of the GH characters in line. Fans love her for it.

Apparently, nurses love her, too.

Epiphany’s role is clearly one of the more accurate portrayals of nurses in a hospital setting in the media today. Epiphany interacts with physicians and others as an equal member of the care team and takes risks on behalf of her patients. She voices her opinion, and it is valued, listened to, and respected. As Eddy sees it, Epiphany’s foremost interest is the professionalism of her job – and nothing gets in the way of taking care of the patients. Sometimes, the really fun times, she gets right up there in another character’s face, whether a physician or the chief of staff or another nurse, to make sure that things happen the way they should. This is not some subservient nurse just “following doctor’s orders.” This is Epiphany.