Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Pitt.

At the start of 2025, Max began airing its new medical drama, The Pitt shows the incredible highs of saving lives, while also exploring the darkest parts of the American healthcare system.

On its own, The Pitt is a brilliant TV series. It is fast-paced, entertaining, and full of moving themes that any audience member can relate to. It definitely feels reminiscent of the iconic 1990s medical drama, ER, which Gemmill worked on for several years, alongside The Pitt's lead actor, Noah Wyle. Yet, what really makes The Pitt stand out is its attention to detail. According to The New York Times, countless medical professionals have felt seen by the series, almost to a worrying degree. Truthfully, The Pitt delves into some of the worst elements of American emergency departments.

11 The Nationwide Nursing Shortage

What Is Causing The U.S.'s Nursing Shortage

One of the earliest issues The Pitt tackles when it comes to emergency departments is the nationwide nursing shortage. In the very first episode, Dr. Robby is confronted by medical director Gloria, who warns that the emergency department needs to get their patient satisfaction scores up. When Robby argues that having more nurses would help solve this problem, Gloria counters by pointing out there's a nationwide shortage of nurses. As it turns out, this is not just a dramatic device created by the show, but is a serious problem in the United States.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an average of 193,000 job openings for nurses per year until 2032. However, only 177,000 nurses are expected to take on these jobs within that very same timeframe. Generally, the nursing shortage has to do with the Baby Boomer generation needing more health care at the same time as older nurses are entering retirement age. Ultimately, there are not enough new nurses to take their places or to cover this rising demand in care, (American Association of Colleges of Nursing.)

10 Long Waiting Room Times

The Pitt Shows The Risk Of Long Wait Times

A troubling side effect of the nursing shortage that The Pitt also explores heavily is long waiting room times. Throughout the entire first season of The Pitt, audiences see the ER's waiting room almost always at full capacity. Sick people are forced to wait for hours to be seen, with many growing more and more frustrated. Although the staff attempt to keep their soon-to-be patients calm, explaining that they see people based on the severity of their illness, that does not prevent people from getting angry, or worse, violent.

Once again, long waiting room times are not just a dramatic set piece, but are a real problem for Americans. Data from Becker's Hospital Review states that the longest average ER wait times in the U.S. include 314 minutes (Washington, D.C.), 250 minutes (Maryland), 218 minutes (Rhode Island), and 216 minutes (Massachusetts.) Ultimately, The Pitt shows how detrimental these wait times can be, not only for the hospital but for patients as well. As doctors earn decreased patient satisfaction scores, patients run the risk of getting worse or losing out on a day of work.

9 The Constant Shortage Of Beds

The ER Is Not Necessarily Conducive To Healing

One more issue that interweaves with emergency departments' lack of nurses and long wait times is a lack of beds. In yet another heated conversation with Gloria, Dr. Robby makes it clear that there need to be more beds within the ER and up in the ICU. Patients that need intensive care are forced to remain in the ER because there aren't enough beds upstairs, which only extends the wait time for patients who haven't even been seen by emergency doctors yet. Ultimately, this is the third part of a cruel cycle within American hospitals, which The Pitt portrays perfectly.

Patients that need intensive care are forced to remain in the ER because there aren't enough beds upstairs, which only extends the wait time for patients who haven't even been seen by emergency doctors yet.

Interestingly, the hospital bed shortage has been more of a recent issue for hospitals. After the COVID-19 pandemic, average hospital occupancy rose from 64% to 75%, (UCLA Health.) In the face of the nursing shortage, this increased demand is worrying, and researchers fear the lack of beds will only get worse. As The Pitt proves, a decrease in hospital beds means more and more patients being forced to remain in bright lights and chaotic noise while they should be resting and healing.

8 Hospitals Being Too Focused On Cost Effectiveness & Efficiency

The Pitt Proves There's No Perfect Way To Run A Hospital

Of course, all of the above problems fall into one overarching issue: hospitals putting money and efficiency over patients. To be fair, The Pitt definitely dramatizes its s, specifically Gloria. According to a doctor interviewed by Vulture, s are not likely to come down to the ER to argue about these issues mid-shift. However, the struggle to keep hospitals running efficiently while also maintaining the highest patient care is a big issue that hospitals all over the country are facing.

The Pitt season 2 is slated to have 15 episodes in total.

The best part of The Pitt exploring this problem is that it doesn't try to offer one simple solution, because in real life, solving hospital efficiency is not an easy fix. For example, Dr. Robby chides Dr. Mohan for taking too long with patients, making the waiting room line even longer. However, Dr. Mohan argues that she only takes so long because she cares about connecting with her patients, which ultimately leads to better patient satisfaction scores. This scenario showcases how there are countless details to consider when trying to run a good hospital.

7 Healthcare Workers Experiencing Post-Covid Trauma & Burnout

Why Dr. Robby's Story Is So Valuable

Speaking of the pandemic, The Pitt does a good job at subtly weaving in the effects of COVID-19 on hospital workers. Through flashbacks, audiences have seen Dr. Robby's traumatic experience caring for his mentor, who ultimately died in the hospital from COVID-19 complications. While Dr. Robby was clearly devastated by the loss of his friend and colleague, the series shows how the pandemic only amplified these feelings of despair. Stuck behind a plastic mask and working for hours on end, Dr. Robby's story pulls back the curtain on a huge part of recent American history.

The Pitt has offered up a number of really significant topics over the course of its first season, but the pandemic may be one of the most interesting - and valuable. Considering that the pandemic was only five years ago, it is rare for movies and TV to openly discuss the event. For many audiences, it feels too soon. However, The Pitt carefully and skillfully shows a pandemic story that viewers might actually want to know about. Dr. Robby's experience is just one of millions faced by real medical staff, and audiences should know more about these tragic circumstances.

6 Violence Against Hospital Staff

The Pitt Does Not Overdramatize, Even Its Worst Moments

Aside from istrative issues, The Pitt includes more intense problems that real-life hospital staff also struggle with, including violence. As previously mentioned, annoyances like long wait times can cause frustration on the part of patients, causing some to resort to violence. In one episode, a male patient who has grown increasingly irate approaches Dana in front of the hospital and punches her in the face. Though shocking and sickening, this is behavior that isn't uncommon in hospitals, and in fact, has proven to be much worse in some circumstances.

The Pitt's depictions of violence against hospital staff are scarily accurate.

A recent article by the American College of Surgeons reveals that healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than other professions. Worse than that, healthcare workers make up 73% of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses caused by said injuries. Unfortunately, violence against hospital staff seems to be on the rise, and stories like Dana's are not only true, but are not overly dramatized in the least. The Pitt's depictions of violence against hospital staff are scarily accurate.

5 Prejudice Faced By Patients & Hospital Workers

How Hospital Prejudice Can Turn Fatal

In the same vein, The Pitt often shows how racism plays a role in hospitals for both patients and staff. For example, the same patient who hits Dana makes a racist remark to Mateo earlier in the season. Unable to defend himself without causing more trouble, Mateo's only response is that he will keep an eye on the patient. On the other hand, another episode sees Dr. Mohan ushering in an African American patient who EMTs believe is seeking drugs, but is actually suffering from Sickle Cell Disease.

Regardless of who is facing prejudice in The Pitt, it is clear that these situations can have grave consequences. In the case of Mateo, his racist patient went on to enact violence against a hospital worker. However, his racist remark may not have been taken seriously if it had been reported. Even more dangerous is the scenario of Dr. Mohan's patient. If Mohan had not believed her patient's diagnosis of Sickle Cell, she would have gone through horrific pain, and her condition could have even worsened.

4 The Long Hours & Fast Pace Of The ER

The Pitt's Format Is Integral For Its Accuracy

As opposed to other medical dramas, The Pitt stands out for its unique format, and as it turns out, this format helps make the show feel more realistic. Thus far, The Pitt has taken place over the course of a single day with every episode being a single hour in a 15-hour shift. In this way, the season has followed the stories of certain patients over several installments, while also jumping between different doctors and their personal issues. Not only has this proven to be a fascinating storytelling strategy, but it helps audiences feel the intensity of the ER setting.

The Pitt's format parallelz how actual ER doctors work. For one thing, the staff at the Pitt are on the job for 15 hours straight, and the show doesn't easily forget that, showing them eating, taking breaks, and using the bathroom just like any real employee would. Furthermore, The Pitt has no time to linger on petty drama or personal issues. The show treats its characters as real doctors who must leave their baggage at the door in order to treat their most dire cases. This may be one of The Pitt's most impressive feats.

3 How A Teaching Hospital Operates

The Pitt's Interns Offer Great Perspective

Despite being one of the more minor details of the series, one thing The Pitt nails is how a teaching hospital operates. In real life, not every hospital introduces students into the medical environment in such a hands-on way, yet The Pitt's Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital does. That is why there are a number of new recruits in the show, including Dr. Santos, Dr. King, Whitaker, and Javadi. In his Vulture interview, Dr. Lukas Ramcharran explains that Dr. Robby's teaching method is incredibly accurate. His constant fluctuation between helping, giving space, and offering moral is perfect.

In some ways, The Pitt's interns are some of the most educational parts of the series, at least from an emotional perspective. Audiences are able to see how vulnerable and terrifying it is to be responsible for other peoples' health. Sometimes, egos can get in the way like in the case of Dr. Santos. On the other hand, personal issues can help or hinder a new doctor, like Dr. King. Ultimately, this part of The Pitt is small, but helps make the show so much more authentic.

2 The Moral Dilemmas Faced By ER Workers

The Pitt Showcases The Real Lows Of Illness & Injury

At the end of the day, the most incredible element of The Pitt is its ability to respectfully yet truthfully show the hardest moments of peoples' lives. As ER staff, the cast of The Pitt are often put into impossible situations which they must handle with grace and care. Dr. Robby is one of the most skilled doctors in this regard, giving the Bradleys plenty of time to grieve their son after his brain death. While medical dramas can be entertaining for their strange cases or steamy drama, The Pitt's biggest strength is its emotional depth.

The Pitt's raw portrayals of loss, trauma, and healing are one of the most realistic aspects of the series. The show almost never flinches away from reality, and that is a good thing. It is more entertaining, sure, but it also allows audiences to relate to the show on a deeper level. Some day, everyone will be faced with a hard decision or a devastating loss, and The Pitt is here to show how medical staff try their hardest to make these situations just a little bit easier.