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?
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
Where I went to nursing school, on each and every thing we turned in, we had to write a pledge that said something like, " I will not be dishonest in any work here and will not tolerate that in anyone else." I think you need to report it. I don't want her taking care of people.
I've worked with nurses who document that they provided care or gave meds when in fact they did not. Any time we can prevent an additional person like this in the profession makes it better for us and the patients too.
Does NO ONE sign an honesty pledge any more? When I returned to college one of my instructors had been in the class before mine (if I had stayed and graduated) actually what I wrote on the bottom of my exam, read it out and said people actually DID this in the past, can you believe it?
I was embarrassed of course, but more so that anyone would find it ridiculous. You should pass it on to the director, but don't be surprised if he/she says there's more and more of that these days.
1. I call bull on this one. I don't think this student really did what she says or thinks she did. I bet her transcript really won't show what she thinks it will.
2. I would be careful with the nursing faculty. If you start tattling, you will be going down with the princess of forgery. You will be labeled a troublemaker who needs to worry about his own performance and not other people's transcript.
If you do go forward, just make darned sure that you have absolute proof or specific knowledge that this other student has done what she said she did. Since she is so casual, why don't you ask her to explain it to you again? Perhaps show you what she is talking about?
You might also consider reporting to the advisor for the program that an anonymous person you don't know in your class mentioned that there is a loophole in the system that allows the opportunity to forge transcripts. Watch how fast they close it. Nurses are crazy smart and ten bucks says they got a better plan than you thought up for this little problem.
I'm torn on this one. One part of me says to report it because she clearly isn't academically nor morally qualified for the program at this time. The other part of me fears it will have a negative effect on you because I have seen honest people pay the price in situations like this one. I don't want your good deed to be punished and for you to be on the losing end. Perhaps an anonymous report would be best here.
From the way you wrote it, she sounded so flippant and babbling. Is she for real? I'm a bit torn in this, not because you shouldn't report it, but because you do not have hard facts on whether she did this or not.
A great talker is a great liar. She may or may not have been lying and seeking for attention. Just whatever you do, make sure you get your facts straight.
It's all well and dandy to follow your emotions and act on it, but be investigative on this and make sure you have all your facts down straight. I'm not doubting she told you this, in any way. I'm only saying, make sure of your facts lest the hunter becomes the hunted.
But how possible is it to forge transcripts? Doesn't it like have to be mailed directly from the school?
My transripts had be in a sealed envelope mailed directly from one school to the next. If they were opened they weren't accepted. It was super strict and with good reason.
Whispera, MSN, RN
3,458 Posts
Where I went to nursing school, on each and every thing we turned in, we had to write a pledge that said something like, " I will not be dishonest in any work here and will not tolerate that in anyone else." I think you need to report it. I don't want her taking care of people.