Channel 4’s portrayal of nurses and nursing in its new hospital series No Angels could have a detrimental impact on recruitment, says the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

The new drama series, which began earlier this month, has been accused of subverting traditional nursing values in favour of a promoting a wilder, unethical and amoral image.

The RCN is concerned that, with its emphasis on fun and glamour, the misrepresentation of nursing culture in No Angels could lead to a rude awakening for some impressionable young people.

A spokesperson for the RCN said: “No Angels is a missed opportunity because we don’t believe it is an accurate portrayal of what happens in nursing.

“If young people make a career choice based on the series then they are in for a shock. Nursing is not fun, it’s hard work. Nurses, like other professions, start at the very bottom of the rung. It’s not glamorous, it’s about emptying bedpans and cleaning up blood and vomit,” she warned.