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After a long, difficult day at the hospital, intern Dr. George Ferguson is ordered to forego a dinner date with his fiancée, Laura Hudson, and remain on duty all night to administer a possible blood transfusion.  When George then breaks his date with Laura, whose wealthy father John is a patient in the hospital, she angrily expresses her disappointment and tells him that after they marry and he finishes his studies in Vienna, he will have to maintain more regular hours.

That night, after he defies a senior doctor's orders but saves a young girl's life, George learns that the transfusion patient has died and immediately telephones Laura.  Despite George's pleas, Laura refuses to see him that night, and George returns to his hospital dormitory room.

Soon after, Barbara Dennin, a British student nurse, comes to George's room and asks to borrow notes for an upcoming examination.  Both lonely and exhausted, George and Barbara share their fears and doubts about the medical profession and then give in to their attraction to each other.

Later, hospital board members, concerned over rising operating costs, suggest to Dr.  Hochberg, George's mentor and the hospital's head physician, that they ask Hudson for a large donation and encourage his philanthropy by offering George a prestigious appointment.  Hochberg rejects the idea, confident that his student will never choose an unearned, easy job over his vital hospital work.  George, however, confesses to Hochberg that, because of pressure from Laura, he is having doubts about pursuing his grueling hospital career.  Before Hochberg can persuade him otherwise, George learns that Barbara is seriously ill from a bungled abortion and requires emergency surgery.  On orders from Hochberg, Laura dons a surgical gown and accompanies George into Barbara's operating theater.  Just before Barbara succumbs to the ether, she tells George that she loves him, a confession heard by Laura.

During the operation, Laura faints and later refuses to talk or see George.  Devastated, George tells a knowing Hochberg that, although he stills loves Laura, he must marry Barbara and start his own practice to support her.  Hochberg then counsels Laura to give up George and sends her to see Barbara.  Near death, Barbara asks Laura to forgive both her and George, then, while clutching George's hand, dies.

Now fully aware of George's calling, Laura tells him she is leaving for Europe without him, but plans to visit him someday in Vienna.