Carol finds herself at a career crossroads when her MCAT results come back; she's torn between nursing and becoming a doctor, with Kerry relentlessly grooming her for medicine while Carol tries to care for a mother with a dying child. Carter debates whether to report Edson for falsifying a patient's chart. Benton takes a personal day to care for Carla. Mark treats a couple concocting odd situations to see how quickly the staff finds a solution. Jerry, Wendy, and Jeanie search for a genetically engineered mouse.

Mark returns to work, physically and emotionally scarred. Carla goes into labor again, about eight weeks prematurely, and delivers a baby boy. Doug thwarts Carol's efforts to celebrate her birthday quietly. Carter's doubts about whether his future lies in surgery grow. Maggie tries to interest Mark in various self-defense devices, resulting in Carter accidentally pepper-spraying himself.