Dr. Oz is looking for a nurse to join his show's panel of experts

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Dr. Oz Show is looking for a nurse to join the syndicated program's core team of guest experts.

Monday's edition was dedicated to nurses and nursing, and the entire studio audience was comprised of nurses, when the announcement for the nurse-search was made.

The show's producers said they decided to air the nurse-themed episode due to the national conversation sparked by Miss Colorado's tribute to the profession at this month's Miss America pageant. The unorthodox appearance of beauty-pageant contestant Kelley Johnson in nursing scrubs and wearing a stethoscope started a discussion that highlighted the need to celebrate and recognize the nursing profession, The Dr. Oz Show's producers said in a news release.

The View co-hosts Joy Behar and Michelle Collins -- both of whom are standup comedians -- were the focus of a pro-nurse backlash last week after they mocked Johnson for using the talent portion of the pageant to deliver a passionate monologue about the people whom she has helped.

"I have depended on the wisdom, guidance, support and nurturing of nurses the entirety of my career as a surgeon," Dr. Mehmet Oz said in a statement. "I have worked alongside nurses every step of my medical career and it's time that a nurse joins my core team of medical experts. The same wisdom and passion for healing that is so critical with patients should also take place on our stage."

The Dr. Oz Show will review candidates, make a decision this fall and announce the winner on the air. Anyone can nominate a practicing or retired nurse or submit themselves by going to www.doctoroz.com and clicking on #NurseSearch.