Academic dishonesty dilemma! Advice needed, plz...

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Thanks for entering this thread, I'm gonna try to make this as brief as possible. To clarify, I am currently a student working on my final prereqs and today I learned some very disturbing news. As my Algebra professor dismissed class today, I somehow found myself having a conversation with two students that sat behind me. One of the girls ask me my major and of course I told her nursing, she said nursing was her major too. I then asked how far along was she. She told me she'll be applying to the program after this semester because she had "cheated" on her transcript. I was stunned that something like that came out of her mouth so casually in the presence of fellow students! Another student asked, how did you manage to do that? She replied that she had managed to somehow forge her transcripts from another community college that she attended in a small town somewhere. I mean, she described in detailed how she did it and mentioned that her sister had taught her how to do it and the conversation ended! Here's my dillema... Should I say something to someone? Or should I mind my own business? I got into a very heated debate with my partner regarding this and I just had to come on here to hear what others think about the situation. Somehow, I feel an obligation to the public as well as to myself and other nursing students who worked hard to complete prereqs. I don't think its fair at all. On the other hand, I feel that I should have enough faith in our educational system that they would never allow her to get too far and catch on to her scheme at some point. I'm confused, what would you do or not do in my position?

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That fool who opened her mouth asked for whatever happens to her. I would write a statement describing the conversation and send it to the Director of Admissions and to the Director of the nursing program. You have an obligation to do this. Or, you can just let it go. Up to you. How would you feel, if you found out she was admitted, while you, an honest student, were rejected? Or worse, do you want to work next to someone like this ten years from now?

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

send this email website to the Dean on a school computer.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

all your pre reqs have to be confirmed to earn credit for the degree, I suspect she would find a nasty shock when she applies for her degree and finds that she doesnt have everything she needs. are you two going to the same program at the same time? if so, Id wait and see if she actually does start. if she does, then I would say something.

thats fraud isnt it?

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BTW, a friend of my daughter's was forging her credit report to qualify to rent an apartment. I thought that was bad enough.

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Fraud is a disqualifier to obtaining a nursing license. I am certain that the Director of the program would be very interested in this information.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

And also, would you want someone like that as a nurse taking care of one of your family members? If she would cheat on that, she would probably cheat on ANYTHING. Prereqs are for a purpose...part of the learning. I just cant understand how she could get away with it without someone finding out, but then again, Ive never had the desire to try such a stunt. If it were me, it would anger me and I would have let her know it the minute the words came out of her mouth. And yes, you can bet your bottom. I would be reporting it. But thats me. You handle it according to how you feel comfortable.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Definitely report it. Not even a close call for me. If you don't ... you shouldn't be a nurse, either. As a nurse, you have to uphold certain standards. Please live up to that standard now even though you are not technically a nurse yet.

I'm glad to read you are the one who wants to report it and your partner is the one who doesn't -- rather than the other way around. Good for you!

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Specializes in orthopedics, telemetry, PCU.

I agree that this behavior is absolutely unacceptable, especially for someone hoping to enter a profession such as nursing, where so much hinges on honesty and personal integrity.

If it were me personally, I would wait to see if she were accepted to the nursing program, and notify someone at that point, as well as alert them to the fact that it was possible for someone to do something like this without the school picking up on it. That should be a wake up call for the institution that they need to step up their verification process. Hopefully, they WILL pick up on the obvious fraud, and it won't be an issue. However, I think it would also be perfectly acceptable to notify the school now that you overheard some disturbing information about a student, and you think they should do some extra checking on her transcripts.

Good luck with your own education!

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Thank you!

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Specializes in LTC Family Practice.

I'm not sure how in the world she thinks she can get away with it. I'd report her in a heartbeat...not acceptable behavior.

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Well, anybody that goes around bragging about their actions certainly can't expect to get away with much!

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