Ep 4. School Nurse

Nurse Jackie season 1 episode 4 titled "School Nurse" follows Jackie Peyton, a skilled emergency room nurse, as she takes on the job of a school nurse. With the help of an old friend, Dr. Eleanor O'Hara, who works at the school, Jackie manages to land the job. However, the job isn't as easy as she thought it would be.

In this episode, Jackie deals with a number of patients, most of whom are students. She helps a young boy who is experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction and saves his life by giving him an epinephrine shot. She also helps a little girl who has a needle stuck in her foot and a boy who has a cut on his forehead.

Jackie's first day as a school nurse also reveals some challenges she has to face. The principal of the school, Mrs. Akalitus, assigns a student with a tracheotomy to Jackie. The little girl, Grace, has to be monitored closely as she requires frequent suctioning of her tracheostomy tube. Jackie handles the situation with ease and gains the trust of Grace's mother.

Throughout the episode, Jackie has to juggle her new job responsibilities with her personal life. She deals with her husband, Kevin, who is acting suspiciously and confronts him about his possible infidelity. She also has to deal with her drug addiction, a theme that runs throughout the entire series.

In addition to her personal struggles, Jackie also has to deal with the school's bureaucracy. She clashes with Mrs. Akalitus over the budget for medical supplies. Jackie tries to convince her to invest in more than just band-aids, but Mrs. Akalitus is unwilling to budge. This results in Jackie having to come up with creative solutions to provide adequate care for her patients.

Overall, Nurse Jackie season 1 episode 4 is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. It highlights the challenges of being a school nurse and the personal struggles that Jackie faces as a result of her drug addiction. The episode is well written and expertly acted, with Edie Falco delivering a standout performance as Jackie. It is a must-watch for fans of the show and those interested in medical dramas.