Shows like “House M.D.,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Scrubs” can give viewers a glimpse of the inner-workings of a health care career, but fiction is often a far cry from reality. I mean c’mon, have you ever seen that many good-looking doctors in one ER? And as smart as Dr. House is, would any patient or family member not punch him in the jaw in real life?! (Unless you’re like Dr. Cameron — and me — who secretly love House, that is!)

Even more far off from medical reality than good-looking, wise-cracking doctors who all have affairs with each other is the portrayal of nurses and other medical support staff. Apparently, they aren’t needed in TV hospitals because TV doctors do it all — X-rays, patient diagnosis, MRIs, surgeries, psych counseling, all with hardly any paperwork!

Those who obsess over “24,” “CSI,” or “Criminal Minds” may find that a career in law enforcement better captures their attention. And while such crime-busting, mystery-solving careers surely come with excitement and intrigue, don’t expect it on a daily basis. Even the best investigators have to toil with paperwork, boring cases, bureaucracy, and even an occasional bathroom break. Isn’t it weird that TV characters never have to go?! Even Jack Bauer — that’s 24 hours straight of holding it in!

For viewers who can’t get enough of their favorite performers on “Dancing With the Stars” or “American Idol,” know that you don’t have to go the celebrity B-list route or make a fool of yourself doing lame Old Navy and Coke commericial montages (those poor Idol kids) to earn a big break. You just have to be talented (having a solid perfoming arts education helps!), and learn how to market yourself. Oh, and there’s that whole working your way up, paying your dues, and waiting tables thing, too.

The bottom line is don’t believe everything you see on TV. For instance, I don’t believe for a second that John Locke will die on “Lost” — Losties, are you with me? — just because the writers want me to believe it.

What you can trust in are your own research tactics. TV can give you a sense of what you’re in for, sure, but then it’s up to you to find people in the field who you can shadow; get educated either through formal education or experience; and remember that it’s May sweeps, when the action is even more exaggerated.

Do you have a career that is ridiculously portrayed on TV? I’d love to hear from ya!

Photo: Andrew MacPherson/FOX