Stella's story follows her journey from her small-town high school in West Virginia to the bustling city of Pensilow, Pennsylvania. Stella is a nursing scholarship recipient. Fulfilling her dream to be a nurse is materializing before her eyes.

Despite her initial excitement about starting a new life, Stella soon finds herself struggling with a number of challenges. A tragedy at home, the end of a romantic relationship, failing grades, and conflicts between her Christian upbringing and her new experiences all contribute to a deep sense of depression and despair. As she struggles to find her place in the world and cope with these difficulties, Stella begins to lose herself and engage in behavior that conflicts with her morals and values.

Her slow decline into shame and self-debasement highlights the dangers of losing sight of oneself and the dream to be a nurse as well as the importance of seeking help and support during difficult times. Once she realizes her mistakes, she makes the journey to recovery and gets back on track to fulfill her dream to be a nurse. Stella figures out that being a nurse takes dedication and commitment to stay the course.