Offering money to switch clinical sites? Ethical?

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In my cohort, a student offerred money to switch clinical sites. This is not ethical. Should I report it to our program director? I don't want to be identified though. Any ideas on how to do this anonymously? Thoughts in general? Has this occurred in your program?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology, Epic CT.
Why is that a sad thing? It's been said 100 times already in this post that you will see this when you start working. Someone will pay you to swap shifts, take their shift, take their call etc. I don't understand why the OP thinks this is unethical and the OP hasn't been back to share his/her thoughts on the matter. There is nothing with this and there is nothing wrong with someone accepting the offer.

Because that is how I view this situation. Like you with your opinion, this is my opinion and advice to the OP. You may say however many times you need to get your point across, but my view will be unchanged in this matter. I believe in the school setting, when it comes to clinical site rotations, you should stick with what you receive, even if you do not like it. You need to be flexible in nursing school. Unless the situation calls for it...then I believe the student that needs to change the clinical sites needs to work with the school administration rather than trying to switch privately...because they need to do it officially through the school anyway, otherwise it could mess up the rosters at the clinical sites and the clinical instructors may not even be aware.

As for the working environment, that is a whole another ballpark (and far more flexibility than nursing school).

However, just because we differ in opinion, does not mean we both bring valid points to the thread. :) I hope the OP takes them both into consideration.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Because that is how I view this situation. Like you with your opinion this is my opinion and advice to the OP. You may say however many times you need to get your point across, but my view will be unchanged in this matter. I believe in the school setting, when it comes to clinical site rotations, you should stick with what you receive, even if you do not like it. You need to be flexible in nursing school. The working environment is a whole another ballpark.[/quote']

Being flexible in nursing school WOULD include clinical site changes, if needed...even if it's peer or facility based. :blink:

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Specializes in Public Health.
Being flexible in nursing school WOULD include clinical site changes if needed...even if it's peer or facility based. :blink:[/quote']

I know right? Who is to say the faculty would not be aware? Mind your business. It is not unethical period. Ethos is a matter of fAirly universal rules of a culture. This is not a matter of opinion. It's not against the student code of conduct.

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.

Lol this whole thing was thrown way overboard, maybe the person wanted it because they always wanted to work there. There is no reason to blow this out of proportion.

The correct thing to do would be to talk to her about it instead.

Honestly OP you sound like the person who would rat everyone out in the workplace for minor things, like an employee bribing another to switch shifts..

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I allow my students to switch slots, provided both slots give the sme experience (ex-can't switch pediatrics for adult ICU) and that both students sign a written agreement. It's not as if an instructor wouldn't notice the sudden appearance of a different student. We have a very specific list of which students are assigned to the area, as does the facility. If that were to change, we simply update the list with the facility. I only allow switching prior to orientation week unless it's an emergency. The goal is to provide students with high-quality, similar clinical settings, not to enforce rules just because I can. I expect my students to behave professionally, and work as a team. Both students would be doing this in my view. One student might realize that others might not want to switch and offers an incentive. Another student agrees to this to help a peer out. If it were me, I would not even take the money unless I had a financial cost (ex-longer commute, etc).

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I Don't find this unethical, but rather desperate. Our school allows to switch clinical sites but the student would have to find another student who would be willing to switch. It doesn't matter how the student would make it happen( bribing, begging etc), so, no I do not find that unethical.

Just move along OP.

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Specializes in Neurology.

**** is this real?? Why would you rat on your classmate? Just say NO smh

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In my cohort, a student offerred money to switch clinical sites. This is not ethical.
How is this unethical?

Our clinical sites were assigned by our program, in an attempt to place people at the facility nearest their homes. This was fine except that the fool who did the assignments didn't know where my town is and didn't bother to check so I was assigned to the facility furthest from me.

Ultimately, someone took pity on me and agreed to switch but I was prepared to offer up $1,000. My time and commute miles have monetary value, just as do those of the other folks. Assigning a price to it is a reasonable action.

While the person agreed to switch with me with no expectation of compensation, I did gift them a $100 Starbucks card at our next encounter.

I see nothing wrong with that.

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Specializes in Addictions, Adult Psych.

mind your own business

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wow I've never posted before but you guys are being mean

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Specializes in Pediatrics Telemetry CCU ICU.

Switching is not the unethical part. Offering money can be. It is a bribe if it is to gain some type of advantage over other students. If the money is offered because the site is further away and is used for gas etc. then it should be stated as such. If the person who is asking for a switch is switching because he/she is more interested in other areas or plans to work in that particular area then who should care? I would first find out if this is allowed by the program, if not, then I would print out the email and pass it on to the appropriate authority. As nurses, we are held to a higher standard and if there is a definite rule against it, it should be reported. Personally, I would have first found out if switching was allowed. If so, then I would have asked to be switched and gave a good reason why. In my email I would have offered money to someone who needed it for gas or convience (lunch money etc.). Because "my friend works there" is not a good reason. If we allow for bending of the rules like this (which seems relatively small) then what is the means to an end? I have been an LPN for 25 years and I have seen a lot of bending, some of which I am guilty of myself. This person felt it was wrong enough to post it here, so there may be more to it that we don't know. I have come to the conclusion in my career that what I hold back can be as damaging as what I have been outspoken about. Please heed, my name will not be in the newspaper saying that I saw something wrong and choose to keep silent. If I choose to keep silent, you can rest assured I saw nothing I felt was wrong.

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You never know they might have kids, a family in which, the time and or location are just not suitable for their current situation... At my school in Chicago you can change cohort/clinicals with anyone you want as long as the other person agrees. If money is part of the deal then that's between you two. Don't sit here and act all self righteous cz this has nothing to do with being "ethical".

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