I feel like a complete idiot in my chemistry lab and so embarrassed!!!

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Hi Everyone,

I'm just so completely embarrassed over last night. I had Chemistry lab, and we had to do something that should normally be simple, lighting a bunsen burner. Well, I've never used a match and I'm petrified of fire. I mean I have like a full fledged phobia. I was willing to manipulate the bunsen burner, but I just wanted someone to initially light the match and light the bunsen burner. Anyways, I called over the teacher's assistant and told him really politely my situation, and asked if he would willing to do that. Well, he just got so pissed off and said that I need to learn these things, I'm in college, and this is one of the most basic things in chemistry laboratories. However, he really said it so mean. It was uncalled for. He was just so upset at me. I felt so little and so embarrassed. I really should have gone to the professor, but I was so embarrassed. So I tried lighting the match and got it lit, but then freaked out, dropped it, and had blow it out right away. I mean I was having a full fledged panic attack and I almost started really crying. I know this may sound so trivial, but it really does scare me. So I went to another teacher's assistant and he was completely nice, and did it for me. I was fine after that. But then it was like every little thing I do the original teacher's assistant came over and yelled at me. I left my drawer open by accident and he got mad. But then, I was taking long when I had to do convertions. I wanted to get it right. I just felt so pressured because he came over and kept telling me to hurry up..he was getting mad. He's like with an attitude we'll be here till next morning. I did finish the lab which is the good thing, but I'm just worried all my labs will be like this. Susanna

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

I am not going to pry into why you are so scared of fire...so if you are scared of something...you are scared. Maybe you could try to work on this at home by striking matches, & see that nothing bad will happen to you. You will probally still be scared but this might help you be able to light your burner without help. That would give your self esteem a boost. Do not let some one else's perception set your self worth. Work on your weak areas....then when you have done your best that is all you can do. Good luck to you

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

phobias, scary, it must be, well you are scared of fire. they should be understanding to that!!! try adjust, this is a good opportunity to overcome your fear!!! yes it is scary and embarrasing, sadly, but look on the bright side, chem class won't last forever, just try to laugh it off!! p.s for my bio lab, we have to open lockers to get our equipment out!! and i never used combination lockers so i was the only one still trying to open the locker while everyone had theirs open and sat and just watched me struggle, oh well, i laugh at myself knowing that eventually i will get it!! it will still embarressing!!! if anyone knows how please tell me!! good luck anyway!!;)

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Bless your heart. You will be just fine. I agree about practicing lighting matches at home. (I hated lighting the bunsen burner, too!)

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Okay so you're scared of the flame, but that's no excuse for that assistant to be such a jerk about it! I had a different problem with my bunsen burner. We didn't use matches but had metal spark-er thingies. Each time it took FOREVER for me to get the thing to spark. Maybe it was a hand strength thing, I don't know, but it was so embarassing for the first few lab sessions. After that it became the lab joke but not in a nasty way.

After awhile I realized everyone is going to flake out about something and I'd really rather be the one known for being unable to light the danged bunsen burner than the one who failed out of the class or got caught cheating or was the class suck-up, ya know?

Just try to let it go and move on.

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Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.

See thread on rudeness:

https://allnurses.com/forums/103785-post1.html

Yeah, I don't get it. What's the big deal? The assistant should be reprimanded for being a failure.

I would have said, "OK" and lit it for you. Move on.....

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Good Lord! I always thought Chemistry was all about the study of matter, NOT how to light a bunsen burner. Clearly the assistant isn't aware of this. Haha.

I would talk to the professor. This could be something that they can accomadate for you as you clearly have a phobia. Let the pro. know you understand the unfortunate dilemma but that you are working on it but could use a little help and ENCOURAGEMENT in facing your fears.

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Specializes in Trauma/Burn ICU, Neuro ICU.

Dear Susanna,

I teach high school chemistry. You are not an idiot. Period. Every year when we use the Bunsen for the first time, more than half the class has never lit a match. Think about it - your parents made a really big deal about not playing with matches. So if you don't smoke, and don't have a fireplace, why would you have ever needed to light a match???

Be try to be a little easier on yourself. The TA is a big jerk. I wouldn't go to the professor about this. Just let it go. It's over. You finished your lab. By the way, do you realize how many people in that lab class were probably terrified about the lab itself? You weren't. That's good. You're fine.

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i see two issues here, one-your issue with fire......probably not going to limit your life a lot....presuming that you are a city girl.

the other issue is your inablility to respond on an adult level to this intimidating idiot.....this will indeed limit your life and especially your nursing life.....remember, you are deserving of respect....i think you should try to deal with this person before you "run" to the prof.

look him square in the eye and tell him you will not be treated in this manner, nor talked to in this manner.......good luck

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I don't think your being scared of fire is such a big thing. I even feel uneasy lighting matches. I'm not afraid of fire, but I tell you when My family got a gas range I was pretty scared to use it you know because we'd always had an electrid kind. But after a little while I got used to it and now it's no problem at all. I'm still a little bit uneasy with lighting matches because I don't do that too often. but I will do it if I need to.

This assistant responded in a way that was uncalled for. I would strongly suggest doing labs with other classmates if it is a group lab. That way someone in your group or your lab partner is bound to be fine with lighting the Bunsen so you don't have to.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

First off, unequivocally, the TA is a jerk and should be reported to the instructor.

Secondly, you're wise to have a healthy respect for fire but you should try to overcome your phobia. I understand that some counselors have desensitization programs that can help people manage their phobias.

Lastly, you should get yourself a striker (I'm pretty surprised that your lab doesn't have 'em, actually). They're those metal cups with a spring-loaded handle and a piece of flint which you move over metal striker plate. They make a nice big spark which ignites the burner. They're much safer (and I'd guess less scary) than a match because they keep you much further from the flame.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Personally, I would not report the TA to the instructor. I would view that as me not taking care of my own problems. I think I would only report gross misconduct and students cheating to an instructor. That's me.

To the OP, I'd just practice with some matches at home. Everything will be OK. Try to get more comfortable with it, and just get through the class with a good grade.

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