Please help. Got an academic dishonesty record on my transcript.

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi guys. I am now finishing up with my nursing pre-requisites at a community college and I will be done by the end of this Spring. When I took A&P 1, I cheated on my test and got caught. I feel really really bad and I swear I'm a good student with a 3.7 GPA. This cheating was my first time because I lost my grandpa at that week and I had a really hard time concentrating on reviewing for the test. I wanted to get a good grade. I just want to ask what should I do? I am applying for 4 year universities and colleges now but I heard having an academic dishonesty record on your transcript is kind of a deal-breaker. Anyway, hope someone can give me some advice. Thanks.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

All you can do is admit what you did was wrong and stop making excuses for your behavior. You shouldn't have done it, and honestly to me, it sounds like you are sorry you got caught and not that you did it. Talk to an advisor and find out what is next for you and cross your fingers.

Its a pretty serious thing to cheat as a pre-nursing student. If you cheat during nursing school, you don't really know the material you are supposed to know and that could result in some pretty deadly consequences.

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Specializes in Hospice.

That's tough, and to me it sounds like you have learned from it. I am starting the nursing program in August after a few semesters of pre reqs due to my "advanced age" of 49. I have researched til my eyes cross what I should expect once I begin NUR core classes in August, and one thing I see popping up again and again that professors and clinical training nurses expect from us students is ACCOUNTABILITY. No excuses, no blaming someone else. I don't think it would hurt to mention your grandfather's passing but I would follow that with "I made a big mistake, one I will never, ever repeat." Good luck!

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I would also think long and hard about what you learned from the situation.

Not to be condescending or too tough on you (you seem to feel badly enough already) but, "I made a massive mistake. I will never do it again," isn't the right answer here.

Why didn't you ask for help? In the future, how will you recognize when you're on the wrong path and avoid such a regrettable and avoidable experience? Dig deep! That's true accountability. And again, good luck.

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Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.

Well everyone has hammered this question home, but you are a red flagged student because of the cheating. regardless of the excuse, you cheated, no sob story or reason needed. But to help we should know when this hapened, what the end result or sanctions the school imposed, all that.

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They should forgive you and let you re-take the exam, have you tried to talk to academic DEAN

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, ygodgirls:

Forgive based on?

Thank you.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Think about this from an ethical standpoint: how can the school trust you to represent their program out in the clinical field when you've shown that when push comes to shove, you chose to cheat?

Just because your grandfather passed away does not excuse the fact you cheated. You could have explained the situation to your professor or dept. chair and asked to take the test later. You could have accepted the grade you would have received. You could have dropped the course or asked for an Incomplete. Your actions directly caused this situation. It does not show maturity or responsibility. People need to be able to rely on their nurse to be ethical & responsible.

Frankly, you have a huge hurdle to overcome and making excuses for your behavior will not earn much sympathy with the administration. Don't expect to have this lapse of judgment forgiven. Also, don't expect admissions committees to give you a break about it for nursing school, even if the college itself does.

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Specializes in LTC.

Not to be mean, but lets be a bit honest here: you have a 3.7 I have a 3.7, why should you get a coveted seat over me. I've never cheated, my school has no reason to believe I did anything but work hard for my grades. I don't get any special passes for hardship, neither should you or anyone else. I'm sorry you had a loss, but that's not any kind of good reason. I'm a type 1 diabetic, and I've finished timed exams popping glucose tabs just to NOT FAIL. My mom had cancer treatment through my last 2 semesters, I never once considered cheating to get me through the fact that I had a lot of sleepless nights.

I worked for my grades, so should you. Sorry if its harsh, but you opened the door by asking the question.

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I am sorry to have to say this to you, but when it comes to treating patients and having their lives in your hands, no school will take that risk. Your best option is top pursue another degree/career. It doesn't matter what the reason was, you cheated, plain and simple and that academic dishonesty will follow you for the rest of your life. Even if the school forgives you, an employer wont hire you when they see that on your transcript.

I also have a hard time believing the story. If this was a family issue, you could have taken the test later and schools give you a cool off period to regroup from the loss of a family member. The fact you cheated tells the school if you cheat on a test, what else could you possible cheat on. And to be honest, the school wouldn't be doing other student who got the high GPA's justice if they admitted you ahead of someone else who didn't cheat.

Let this be a life lesson for you. If you cheat, you will eventually get caught. You know the old saying..once a cheater...

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Quote

You know the old saying..once a cheater...

What a horrible assumption to make! Her careless act is going to cost her dearly, but it is absolutely unfair to assume such a thing.

OP, I hope you have learned your lesson. You are at the mercy of your school and your (hopeful) employers from here on out.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
mhasan77 said:
I am sorry to have to say this to you, but when it comes to treating patients and having their lives in your hands, no school will take that risk. Your best option is top pursue another degree/career. It doesn't matter what the reason was, you cheated, plain and simple and that academic dishonesty will follow you for the rest of your life. Even if the school forgives you, an employer won't hire you when they see that on your transcript.

I also have a hard time believing the story. If this was a family issue, you could have taken the test later and schools give you a cool off period to regroup from the loss of a family member. The fact you cheated tells the school if you cheat on a test, what else could you possible cheat on. And to be honest, the school wouldn't be doing other student who got the high GPA's justice if they admitted you ahead of someone else who didn't cheat.

Let this be a life lesson for you. If you cheat, you will eventually get caught. You know the old saying..once a cheater...

It's not that you'll always be a cheater, but you'll always be suspect. You'll be under the microscope for quite a long time. Unfortunately, it's going to be the OP's "albatross" to wear for quite a long time, and it's going to follow the OP always. And hopefully it'll be a HUGE life lesson that can be passed on to others.

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GrnTea said:
It would surprise me. Can you be more specific as to your situation? If this was ten years ago, I am sure they'd be willing to give you a chance. Last year, maybe not so much.

Hi GrnTea,

I happened during the March of 2013. Thank you for your input!

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