DiscoverThe Gritty NurseHealthcare Can Be Horror: Examining Nursing Portrayals, Asylum History and Medical Phobias in Healthcare
Healthcare Can Be Horror: Examining Nursing Portrayals, Asylum History and Medical Phobias in Healthcare

Healthcare Can Be Horror: Examining Nursing Portrayals, Asylum History and Medical Phobias in Healthcare

Update: 2025-10-23
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Description

Why are nurses a favorite target for horror movie villains?

Why are nurses seen in movies as either sexy, satanic or dieties?

In this spine-chilling episode of The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley and Guest Host Jordan Varley discuss the dark side of cinema's obsession with healthcare horror and nursing horror tropes. We cover everything from the psychological weight of nurse stereotypes and the real-world terror of nurse killers, to the unsettling history of asylums and our ingrained fears of medical procedures. Get ready for a thought-provoking analysis of horror film tropes and cultural perceptions of mental health. Tune in for expert commentary and find out which horror movies you must watch next. Ideal for fans of psychological thrillers and medical horror.

Takeaways

Horror films often reflect societal fears about vulnerability in healthcare.
Nurses are frequently depicted as villainous in horror, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Real-life cases of nurse killers highlight the darker side of the profession.
The portrayal of asylums in horror films often exaggerates historical realities.
Fear of medical procedures is a common theme in horror, tapping into real anxieties.
Cultural perceptions of mental health are often shaped by horror narratives.
The sexy nurse trope undermines the professionalism of nursing.
Horror can serve as a lens to examine deeper psychological issues.
The evolution of horror tropes reflects changing societal attitudes towards healthcare.
Personal experiences with horror films can reveal underlying fears and anxieties. 

Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Intersection of Healthcare and Horror
01:52 Nurse Stereotypes in Horror Films
04:33 The Villainous Nurse Archetype
06:59 Real-Life Nurse Killers and Their Impact
09:56 The Role of Asylums in Horror
12:26 Psychological Fears and Vulnerability in Healthcare
15:11 The Evolution of Horror Tropes
18:18 The Fear of Medical Procedures
20:10 Cultural Perceptions of Mental Health
23:06 The Future of Horror in Healthcare
25:39 Top Horror Movie Recommendations
 
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Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!

www.hospitalnews.com 

Where to Listen / Watch

* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782

* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast

 
 

 

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Healthcare Can Be Horror: Examining Nursing Portrayals, Asylum History and Medical Phobias in Healthcare

Healthcare Can Be Horror: Examining Nursing Portrayals, Asylum History and Medical Phobias in Healthcare

The Gritty Nurse Amie Archibald-Varley