I Spent My Internship Under His 'command' And His 'authority'

As a young first year resident I was paired with an 'old Army' doctor. When I didn't follow orders he said to me 'do I need to impose my authority on you?'

It was my introduction to men in authority. I did what I was told, progressed through my residency until one day, with my boards behind me, I was a 'Doctor', an M.D.

I left my mentor and took my position in a very badly run ER. No good nurses, no supplies, high turnover. My mentor would say to me at night, you have an authority problem. One day, when a nurse refused to comply I raised my voice at her. Do I need to impose my authority?

I did, so I fired her. And others who defied me. And hired new nurses, and clinical staff. At the young age of a first year doctor I was called ballsy, Teutonic, frustrated. Then it happened, a man was brought in, terribly injured. He was there 'splayed' out, and heard me call out to one of my staff.

You my dear, studied under Dr. Hawthorne. Imposed his will on you, didn't he.

He did.