Getting On

It's July 4th at the Billy Barnes Extended Care unit of Mt. Palms Hospital in Long Beach, CA. On her first day of work, Nurse DiDi Ortley discovers feces on a lounge chair, and is torn between the conflicting orders of unit veteran Nurse Dawn Forchette.

In the wake of Beverly's departure, a new Supervising Nurse, Patsy De La Serda, joins the Billy Barnes staff with a customer-centric agenda he's convinced will improve ward efficiency. A more docile patient named Donna wins DiDi's affection and displays impressive karaoke skills.

Patsy files a grievance against DiDi for remarks he deems inappropriate - Dr, James decides to go to a convention in Cleveland - a patient is caught in a romantic situation with her gentleman caller - Dawn gets evaluated with no exceptions.

Dr. James decides to implement a geriatric exercise program in the ward, upsetting Patsy, whose "Make Someone Happy" initiative now includes a live pianist and a fountain. DiDi discloses Patsy's relationship with Dawn to her union rep as proof her homophobic comment wasn't serious.

DiDi's serene evening shift in the ward is turned upside down after the arrival of a new patient and several unwelcome, inebriated visitors. Stopping by after a dinner party, Dr. James attends to her drunken husband Richard's ingrown toenail.

Phyllis' mother's condition vacillates; Jenna attempts to get Dr. Stickley to make concessions; DiDi grows impatient when a debt is unpaid; an equipment malfunction injures a patient; the staff perform their caregiver concert.

Season Two Premiere. Dr. Jenna James' plethora of research projects threatens to take over the ward. A frustrated DiDi asks for a raise; Patsy's 'Lean Green' initiative causes problems; Dawn gets a surprising answer to what's been ailing her.

DiDi takes on greater responsibilities when a hospice program is introduced into the ward. Dawn looks ahead to her future and tries to share her news with Patsy, but inadvertently puts his new initiative in question. Patsy finds himself playing patient when he has a medical emergency.

Computer system failure causes issues throughout the hospital.

The staff finds itself in an awkward situation when one of Jenna's 'adult' study photos mistakenly makes its way into the Christmas Card Competition. DiDi is tempted by Parker Owens, a visiting doctor. Denya, a patient with terminal cancer, proposes a 'final solution' to a startled Jenna.

DiDi struggles to deal with her younger sister Sherrie, who's filling in at Billy Barnes and cozying up to Dawn. Jenna gets a new look and runs into resistance to her research methods. The staff tries to balance patient flow and has issues discharging a patient they'd hoped to never see again.

Season Two Finale. A whistleblower brings disturbing news about the hospice program to light, putting the entire staff's future in question. Dawn takes a big romantic step, but unexpectedly finds herself caught between two suitors. DiDi takes her salary issues to Jenna, who tries to hold everything together.

As Dr. Jenna James looks to move past her hospice scandal, she finds her job threatened by a handsome new doctor and takes immediate action. DiDi is inspired to fight for her union rights, while cutbacks force Patsy to return to floor duty.

The staff faces an infectious disease crisis. DiDi's family drama spills into work--in the person of her sister-in-law, Yvette. Dr. James reaches out to a pharmaceutical company and finds herself affected by a patient with a complicated past.

While preparing for an upcoming conference, Dr. James is caught off guard by workplace politics. A felon with cancer --and a history of daring escapes--arrives at the ward. When his mother pays a visit, Patsy asks Dawn to pose as someone she's not.

On the day of her 'Sympoosium,' Dr. James is plagued by unexpected complications. Patsy embraces his truth, and DiDi finds herself caught between her work and family. Dawn and Dr. James see uncanny visions of themselves in two British visitors.

With the ward's fate up in the air, DiDi hunts for ways to save it, while dealing with pressure from Dawn to be her health advocate. Troublemaking Varla returns, and butts heads with her equally opinionated long-lost daughter. After a memorial service full of drama, the staff gets a rude awakening.

As the staff try to stave off the closure of Billy Barnes, DiDi makes a last-ditch effort to save the ward. Jenna tries to weasel her way out of a hastily made offer. After a ruse is exposed, Dawn inadvertently sets in motion a chaotic chain of events that seals the fate of the ward.