Getting On

It's 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 patient's birthday cake.

In the wake of Beverly’s departure, a new (male) Supervising Nurse, Patsy De La Serda, joins the Billy Barnes staff with a customer-centric, "cruise-line based" agenda that he’s convinced will improve ward ratings. Patsy soon learns that managing patients – especially highly uncooperative and feisty ones like Varla – isn't necessarily improved through customer-service metrics. On the other hand, a more docile patient named Donna wins DiDi's affections and displays impressive karaoke skills.

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.

Dr. James' research projects are everywhere. DiDi attempts to secure a raise. Patsy's new initiative doesn't go down very well.

DiDi has more responsibilities when a hospice program is introduced. Dawn looks to the future.

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

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.

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. A worn-out Dawn is revived by Patsy's unpredictable advances.

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. DiDi's mother-in-law comes to Billy Barnes for treatment, sparking a family feud.