Getting On

Its July 4th at the Billy Barnes Extended Care Unit of Mt. Palms Hospital. On her first day of work, nurse DiDi Ortley discovers feces on a lounge chair, and is torn between the conflicting orders of veteran nurse Dawn Forchette, who wants to file an "incident report" before removing it; temporary medical director Dr. Jenna James, who is in need of a stool sample for her medical study; and supervising nurse Beverly Raymes, who has had endemic issues with floor cleanliness and wants the seat sterilized. In a heated argument with Nurse Raymes, Dr. James has a public meltdown and ends up permanently assigned to this dead-end job. Meanwhile, the staff tries to determine the identity of an Asian woman who was found wandering on a highway, and debate what to do with a deceased patients birthday cake.

DiDi ends up in "conflict resolution" after Patsy files a grievance against her for inappropriate remarks. Dawn learns that intimacy with a co-worker is no guarantee of evaluation immunity. Dr. James and Patsy go head-to-head when she decides to skip the "Make Someone Happy" orientation to attend a Cleveland medical convention. A patient, Birdy, sends shock waves through the ward when her gentleman caller, Leonard, and she are caught in a romantic agenda. Patsy announces a ward-wide deep cleaning.

DiDis serene evening shift is turned upside down by the arrival of a new Swedish - speaking patient and several unwelcome inebriated visitors. Stopping by after a lamentable dinner party, Dr. James attends to her drunken husband Richards ingrown toenail while dreaming of a Cleveland fresh start; a woozy Dawn looks for stopgap comforts in the lounge after an unsettling evening with Patsy; and an elderly Swedish tourist shows off her gymnastic chops while complaining about her ruined vacation.

Dr. James research projects are everywhere. DiDi attempts to secure a raise. Patsys new initiative doesnt go down very well.

When a server crashes, it is disastrous for the staff. Didi steps on Dr. Stickleys toes.

DiDi deals with her younger sister, whos filling in on the ward and trying to impress Dawn. Dr. James encounters resistance to her research methods, an award goes to Patsys head, and the staff are anxious to discharge a particular patient.

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. Dawn questions her marriage and, later, gets some distressing news.

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 shes not. DiDis mother-in-law comes to Billy Barnes for treatment, sparking a family feud.

With the wards 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. Caught in a mountain of lies, Jenna comes clean to her husband, Richard. After a memorial service full of drama, the staff gets a rude awakening.