False Things Grey's Anatomy Made You Believe About Medicine

In the first episode of Grey's Anatomy, the medical residents are on their very first shift at the hospital. That day, they are introduced to surgeon Miranda Bailey, who tells them, "Your first shift starts now and lasts 48 hours. You're interns, grunts, nobodies, bottom of the surgical food chain. You run laps, write orders, work every second night until you drop, and don't complain!" 

Sure, doctors are known to work long, strenuous hours that even include overnight shifts, but medical professional Doctor Mike said in one of his popular Youtube videos, "Residents don't work 48-hour calls anymore." He explained, "They're capped at 80 hours per week, maybe they go a little bit over that sometimes, but 48 hours is just non-existent, and this started because of the Libby Zion Law." This law began in 1989, after 18-year-old Libby Zion passed away unexpectedly shortly after being admitted to the emergency room. Her death was attributed to the fact that she was only seen by medical residents, who were receiving little supervision and tending to multiple patients at once. 

Grey's Anatomy fans know Miranda Bailey is tough on interns, but she legally can't be.