Joan and Michael meet in a hospital in Glasgow in the west of Scotland. They have dreams and aspirations, disappointments, false dawns but nevertheless still hope to fulfil their goals despite suffering social and economic problems. The demands of hospital life require instant decisions and results regardless of the consequences. This makes for a very challenging professional life. This process of learning on the job gives fulfillment and pleasure. Elsewhere in the city, the shipyards are going through a transitional period where new methods of production and innovation are creating industrial unrest, union strikes, lack of work and decisions for the future of the industry have to be made. While professional people are wanted all over the world, Scotland is recognised for its shipbuilders and Scottish nurses are considered to be the amongst the best in the world. Will Joan and Michael's dreams and aspirations come true in this turbulent time?