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 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 that her homophobic comment wasn't serious. A homeless woman, and her accompanying stench, is suspiciously dumped in the ward, prompting a staff investigation. Phyllis arrives to check on her dying mother. Dawn wins the grand prize in Dr. James' charity raffle. Dr. James considers relocating after learning she must re-apply for a job she never wanted in the first place.

DiDi's 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 Richard's 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.

In the season finale, Phyllis gets the runaround as her mother's condition worsens, improves and worsens again. Jenna tries to leverage her Cleveland opportunity into concessions from Dr. Stickley. DiDi's patience wears thin after a debt remains unpaid. Staff members point fingers at each other after an equipment malfunction injures Cordelia, an irascible patient. The staff makes up when a patient dies and comes together to perform their weekly Caregiver Concert for everyone in the ward.

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.

A photo of Jenna's accidentally slips into a Christmas Card competition. Didi finds herself tempted by a visiting doctor.

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

In the Season 2 finale, disturbing news about the hospice program is revealed by a whistle-blower, which could jeopardize the staff's future. Meanwhile, Dawn finds herself with two suitors; and DiDi discusses her salary issues with Dr. James.

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.

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, Dr. Pippa Moore and Sister Den Flixter.

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. 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.

In the series finale, DiDi walks a picket line in a last-ditch effort to save the Billy Barnes from closing. Meanwhile, Dr. James regrets an offer made in haste; and a student nurse makes a revelation in a secret-sharing session that gets Patsy's attention.