Dishonest Practices by Students

Nursing Students General Students

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Something's bothering me.

I found out yesterday that someone in my class went through my instructor's stuff at lunch and xeroxed the overheads that she was using to teach the class. Now, copies of this stuff are circulating and people are using them to study for the test tomorrow. Are people so lazy these days that they can't even go to the trouble of taking notes like they're supposed to? It isn't like this is a copy of the test or anything, but I object on the principle of it all. This instructor is one of the kindest people I know - she would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it and would certainly would give you help on your school work if you asked for it. :o

The other thing that aggravates me is that the student that I have been told that did this is the biggest overachiever I have ever known, and she tends to look down on you if you don't do as well as she does. (She frequently reports having higher grades that most everyone else - but I have caught her lying before.)

It would not do anyone any good to narc them out, because this is information that we were going to be shown anyway, and I don't want to upset the instructor besides, but I am really angry about this. Do you have people like this in your class, people that are willing to stoop to that level just so they can look better than everyone else? I'd like to hear everyone's opinion. This whole thing makes my BP spike through the roof! :(

If this student is taking notes by going through an instructor's things, and she's also the highest achiever, how do you know she isn't stealing exam answers?

Like Brandy, our instructors give us access to their powerpoint notes. Some we can download on our own, some we buy for the cost of the printing fee. Still, if someone were caught going through ANYONE'S property without permission, they'd be booted out faster than they could blink.

This student has a serious problem with ethics. One way or another, she needs to be reported and watched.

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... and you are certain the instructor herself didn't authorize the student to help herself to the materials...

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Okay, I'll answer your questions then tell you what happened today. The instructor did not authorize this student to go through her stuff and copy the notes. Nor was it a scam to see who's honest and who's not. Our instructors generally do not make the overheads readily available like that because the director of the program (and the college) is really stingy with the copies made at this school. I'm not sure if anyone was as upset as I was (and still am) that this has happened and that bothers me as well - but I can't change them and don't have the time or energy to kill myself trying to.

So now for what happened today. I weighed all the options and decided my conscience was not going to let me do anything but go to the teacher myself and talk with her. I went in to this instructor's office to give her something I needed to turn in and asked if she had a minute to talk to me. I shut the door and asked if she was aware that there are copies of her lecture overheads circulating around my class. She didn't know, and asked me how many of the overheads had been copied, to which I said I didn't know because I didn't get close enough to a set to find out. She then told me she really appreciated me telling her like I did and I asked her to keep my name out of it, as I knew she'd take it to the other instructors and possibly the class. She didn't say anything before the class started or before she gave the test. We got through the test and it seemed to be business as usual but being the worrier that I am, I was still afraid something might happen.

After lunch, I was running late and was the last one back to class after the lunch break. The director of our program was waiting for everyone to return so that she could address the class. She got out what I am pretty sure was a copy of our state's Nurse Practice Act and started picking through it saying that the qualities that a nurse must possess, such as trustworthiness and integrity were supposed to be something that we already have when we enter the program. She said that had these been patient records or something of the like, it would have been grounds for expulsion (and rightly so). She also said that in the Nurse Practice Act it states that if a nurse saw unethical behavior going on (or something like that, I can't remember her exact words) that he or she has a responsibility to report it; that we would be expected to report a medication error, so why not something like this? She also said that there was not one person in that room that didn't know that it was wrong to go through not just an instructor's stuff but anybody's stuff.

And that was it. But I still feel bad and can't really understand why this continues to weigh so heavily on me. :o It may be because the person that made those copies is a friend of mine, the fact that she's almost old enough to be my mother (I think she's like 40), and has two teenage boys of her own and is doing things that no parent should be teaching to their kids. When I turned in my test this morning, the intstructor followed me out and told me that I had nothing to feel guilty about, that I have not "narc'ed" out my friends, and showed a lot of integrity doing what I did. And, now I am afraid that some of my other friends in the class may suspect that I went and talked to the instructor - maybe because of the strong reaction I had the other day when I found out what had been going on. And, I know I shouldn't care, but I unfortunately do.

And that's it. Your thoughts? :confused:

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It is really hard doing the right thing. It especially hard when you risk losing friends over it. I am so glad to hear that you decided to talk to your teacher. Come talk to us if you get discouraged. Know that you did the right thing and try not to feel bad about it. I am a chronic worrier so I know it is difficult, but try.

Teresa

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BRAVO!!!! When everyone is going left and you decide to go right it's really hard, but when you are out there in the field that integrety will be with you. I know it had to be really tough to make that decision but I for one would be very proud to have you for my co-worker!! Keep up the good work!!! And don't worry about what anyone else may think, you are in school for you, not the others that are being dishonest!!!

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THERE ARE PLENTY OF INDIVIDUALS WHO PASS STATE BOARDS WITH OR WITHOUT CHEATING AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A CLUE SO YOU ARE STILL TAKING A CHANCE WITH THE CHEATERS WHO PASS AND WITH THE ONES WHO PASS AND STILL DO NOT HAVE A CLUE.

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To exotic nurse I am sorry I was confused by your first post because I thought you meant that people who cheat in nursing school don't passed their NCLEX but I re-read and realized that it is not confusing. I see what you are saying now. My biggest thing now after your second post is that while what you are saying is very true it is just the fact that those who busted their rear ends off to make it through nursing school and through the NCLEX will certainly have more then those who make it through and passed but cheated. I am sure everyone knows that but that is my biggest issue. So what if the person who barely passed the NCLEX may not be the most book smart person around but I would certainly hoped they learn something in order to make good, safe decisions and that they are good hands on.

To ADN 2002 you made the right decision. Your instructor is going to know that she can trust you more than what they did before. As far as your friend hopefully she will learn now before she get the boot and hopefully she will stop.

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ADN 2002

Bravo!!!! Know that many of us (if not all) support your decision and respect you for doing what was morally right. Know also that while your class may "suspect" and speculate all day, unless you take credit for what you did, they will never *really* know. That's kind of a shame, because I am willing to wager that most of them secretly respect the person who had the balls to be honest, and that is credit you deserve, even if you are the only one to ever know it. ;)

About your "friend," realize that with age doesn't neccesarily come wisdom, and not all "like 40"-ish people know right from wrong. She made a mistake, and you called her on it. If she's truely wise, she would understand that. But it's over and done now, and it's up to you if you choose to forgive her this transgression and move on, or to disassociate yourself from her.

You're going to make a fine nurse, and one I would be proud to have as a co-worker!!

Caroline

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ADN2002:

Please add my name to the list of those who would love to work with a nurse like you....

In nursing, as in life, there are areas you can fudge.... thank you for speaking out and helping to stop a big problem in the tracks of continuing. My hats off to you...

There is peace in knowing you did the right thing... let that be your "mantra" to this, yet another, "learning experience" in school....

In peace....:p

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You do not know me exept from here, but I am glad you chose to do what you did and I am proud of you for coming to the conclusion..........As I said you don't know me, but it does help to know you did the right thing...I would have done the same.....

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ish okay and I agree with you.....I am one of the ones who bust my butt through nursing school and I am struggling as well but I am happy to know that I will be taking some knowledge with me to state boards and HOPEFULLY I will pass them the first go round ...........:D

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