Ep 18. A Shift in the Night

In ER season 2 episode 18, titled "A Shift in the Night," the night shift at County General Hospital is in full swing. The episode begins with Nurse Hathaway and Dr. Ross being called to a nearby park where a young woman has been beaten and is unconscious. They stabilize her and rush her to the hospital. Dr. Greene is on duty, and he gets to work trying to figure out what happened to her.

Meanwhile, Nurse Hathaway is dealing with the aftermath of her split with Dr. Ross. They had been dating, but Nurse Hathaway realized that their relationship was unhealthy and ended it. Despite the breakup, Dr. Ross continues to pursue her, which causes tension between them.

Back at the hospital, Dr. Greene is struggling to keep up with the demands of the ER. He is short-staffed and experiencing fatigue. He takes a moment to rest and finds out more about the beaten woman. She had been living on the streets and was pregnant. Dr. Greene is determined to save her and her baby.

Elsewhere in the hospital, Nurse Boulet is dealing with a difficult patient. An elderly man is refusing to take his medication, and he is becoming more and more agitated. Nurse Boulet tries to reason with him, but he becomes violent and attacks her. She is injured but manages to call for help. Dr. Lewis and the security team come rushing to her aid.

As the night wears on, Dr. Ross and Nurse Hathaway continue to work side by side. They come across a young boy who has a knife wound. They work together to stabilize him, and in the process, they rekindle their friendship. Dr. Ross gives Nurse Hathaway a much-needed pep talk and tells her that she needs to focus on herself.

In the end, the beaten woman and her baby survive, but Dr. Greene is left feeling drained and defeated. He sits outside the hospital, exhausted, and sips a cup of coffee. As the sun rises, he contemplates the challenges of working in the ER and wonders how much longer he can keep up the pace.

Overall, "A Shift in the Night" is a gripping episode that delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by the staff of County General Hospital. It showcases the dedication, compassion, and resilience required to work in the ER, and it highlights the toll that this demanding job can take on the individuals who do it day in and day out.