The life of a headstrong yet empathetic chief nursing officer named Christina Hawthorne is charted in this hospital drama. The series opens with Hawthorne trying to prevent a cancer patient's suicide attempt. The widowed Hawthorne also deals with her rebellious daughter and her former mother-in-law. Meanwhile, Hawthorne helps a homeless woman and her ill infant.

Christina offers a helping hand to a son who's unwilling to accept that his mother is dying. Meanwhile, Bobbie guides young and inexperienced Kelly through a disturbing case involving an infant who ingested rubbing alcohol. And Ray finagles work time with the sweet Candy, but a demanding patient continually pulls him away.