need opinions about my reaction in front of a professor

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2013

I would just apologize to the professor and the other student that witnessed it. Has this been a problem for you in the past when you are stressed and then you act out in a physical manner? If so this is a problem and you will need to really look at ways to control your frustration levels because in nursing there is a lot of it and in the professional arena this is NOT tolerated.

If it was just related to the test there are may strategies you can employ to manage test anxiety. STOP focusing on how many people are done and leaving,it is just you and the test!. Make sure you keep time in some way. I used to do a quick check every 15 min to see if I was on track. If something is exceptionally difficult and hanging you up you may want to consider moving on and try to come back to it. You do not want to waste too much time on a question that is sucking up all your time and lose all the potential points you have yet to get to. Those are just few tips there are many more out there.

Most importantly, plan for something that will help you deal with the stress that will work for you. Buy a stress ball...learn some deep breathing or mind stop techniques or self talk strategies. Gosh! try anything so you can prevent this from ever happening again you may need that professor to write you a character reference someday and you want a good one.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2013

I am currently in an ABSN program. Of course it gets stressful at times especially during finals. Anyways I had a final in the morning and then I was scheduled to take a med math exam right after. The first final went well, and I thought I was well prepared for the Med Math. I have good rapport with my peers and my professors. I joke and laugh with everyone. I even went to professor right before the exam started and she reviewed a couple things with me. Long story short, I got hung up on a few problems and time ran out. I was so frustrated with myself. Me and this other girl were the only two people left. I got up handed in my exam to the professor and on the way out of the class, I punched the top of a desk. Not seriously hard, but it wasn't a tap either. I would say I hit it less than moderately hard, but that's still not the point. I just felt overwhelmed and caught up in the moment, and I was also thinking about my next two Final exams in Pharmacology and Med Surg. I said good night after I did it and she said good night too, but for some reason I just feel really embarrassed at myself and its hurting my self esteem that I lost composure like that in front of a professor that I think very highly of and I also have a lot of respect for.
Please share your opinions, because I feel like I messed up real bad and its really important that I know what other people think. Thanks.

I am sorry you felt frustrated........and you might not like what I have to say.

I think you need to apologize to your instructor immediately and the other student who witnessed your violent outburst. You need to assure them that when you get frustrated that you don't moderately get frustrated at a patient and "moderately" punch them. Punching a bedside stand even moderately hard when you get frustrated is NOT acceptable...and believe you me....you WILL be frustrated on many occasions.

You did mess up "real bad" it was immature and unprofessional......how would you feel if someone punched a desk by/in front of your sister, mother, daughter, girlfriend, wife?

Now, what to do?

Call/e-mail your instructor immediately and offer an apology. Ask what you need to do to make things right....she needs to know what you are going to do going forward to assure that this behavior is completely in check and that it will never happen again. Maybe look into anger management if this has been an issue with you in the past....even if it isn't maybe some counseling would help while you are under so much stress.

Now...((HUGS)) I am so sorry you were so disappointed in yourself and frustrated......nursing school is difficult under the best circumstances.....actually being a nurse is even more frustrating.

I wish you the best! :)

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 4, 2013

Yeah, it was a "big time mess up" -- not the quiz, but the violent outburst in frustration. I agree with Esme12. You need to apologize immediately and reassure the instructor that such behavior will not happen again. If this is not the first time you have reacted that way, you should seek some "anger management help." Many women co-workers will not feel safe around you and most employers will not tolerate it at all. It's the kind of thing that can be automatic grounds for dismissal.

That said, the scolding is over. I wish you the best of luck in putting this incident behind you.