Cheaters in my med/surg class

lemonaidangel · Feb 24, 2009

What proof do you have that they are cheating? Do you have an honor code in your school? Personally, I would not go to a professor unless I am absolutely 100% certain. In fact, I try not to worry myself about what anyone else does. As long as I have a clear conscience, that is all that matters. Cheaters will pay their dues in the long run, whether or not I tattle on them. Besides, cheating isn't going to help them on the NCLEX.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2009

I would mind my own business. Worrying about the actions of the so-called "cheaters" isn't a wise expenditure of your time and energy.

If classmates truly are cheating, they'll have enough rope to hang themselves.

MHaffer · Feb 24, 2009

Shame on them!!! :madface: But that is really a tough decision on your part. On one hand, you don't want to be pegged as the class rat, but on the other, the rest of the class is working very hard and these jerks are skating through, and it's just not fair! Besides not being fair, it's not safe...if these students don't actually learn the material, they will make dangerous nurses! However, if they aren't learning the material, they won't pass the NCLEX either, so they are really only hurting themselves. And professors aren't dumb: if you suspect it, you prof probably does, too. If I were you I think I would just keep it to myself and wait for karma to run it's course...karma's a *****, after all! Good luck!

mercedesbattista · Feb 24, 2009

I wouldn't worry about it. Med/Surg is hard enough as it is. You should focus on yourself. I've been dealing with cheaters since 1st semester & they are still sticking together & we're now in 5th semester. When it comes down to the NCLEX & using critical thinking skills they won't have each other or any cheat sheets.

VM85 · Feb 24, 2009

What makes you think that they have a test bank?i know how irritating it is when people pass and bragg about how they never study, and it is apparent that they dont, because they are completely clueless in class and in clinical- and yet they still pass. And its not just that they pass they get in the high 80's and low 90's- yet i am struggling to keep myself in the low 80's and i study my butt off. Saying that- maybe they are just the type of people that are good at playing connect the dots- I say unless theres a rumor going around or you know for a fact that they do have a word bank, i wouldnt bring it to anyones attention- if you have heard or know something, then I would bring it to my teachers attention as a concern, privately ,without telling anyone(even the people you consider close friends) so if they decide to investigate and it comes out that no one was cheating(or even if they find out people were) you dont have the whole class mad at you- you dont need the drama! But for now, just keep doing what your doing- study and stay away from that crew of people. Eventually, if they are cheating, they will get caught. And if they dont, theyll never pass the boards. And im sure your instructors notice people who get 100's on tests and yet they dont know a radial pulse from a femoral pulse when asked the difference.

kcochrane · Feb 24, 2009

Do they think they will be able to get a test bank for the NCLEX . If they aren't learning it now, they are going to have big trouble passing the NCLEX. I guess unless you have proof, I wouldn't say anything. As someone else mentioned, it is quite possible the prof. knows about it.

Nursey103, ADN, RN · Feb 24, 2009

I wouldn't say anything - instructors are likely to make things harder on you and other "honest" students - like punishing everyone for the few who are possibly cheating. In my school, there was a class a couple of semesters ago who were caught cheating and the instructors changed the tests and made them harder for the next group of students (me!) Just worry about yourself - you don't need anymore extra energy going towards other students & their grades!!!

allnurses Guide · Feb 25, 2009

Anyone can buy the instructor's edition of a textbook, as well as the instructors resource kit that we get many of our questions from (test bank). It is very, very expensive, the school usually buys it and it goes to whichever teacher is doing the class that semester. Doubt most students would bother. If you are going to do that, you still have to study and memorize an enormous amount of materiel because you don't know which questions we may choose to use. It can be a study tool, as each question also has a rationale for the answers.

If you mean they have an illegal copy of a specific teacher's notes/tests, it is wrong but not your responsibility. Do your own work, and over time it becomes quite apparent who has read the book and understood the material, and who has not. Its your school's and instructors' responsibility, leave it to them. The only time you should speak up is if you have absolute proof in your hands to give the school.

Rumors and accusations cannot be rescinded, and damaged reputatons are hard to mend.

RN-LOGIC · Feb 25, 2009

In my school if you were caught cheating they would kick you out of the program. It would appear in your transcript that you cheated and you weren't allowed to registered for any programs.

Angel0411 · Feb 25, 2009

You need to do what you feel is right. I recently was in the same situation and I didn't tell the instructor, but I told one of the administrative staff without naming names, that we should not be permitted to have pdas and cell phone out during exams.

My reasoning is this. If a person is going to cheat on exams in nursing school...what will they do once they are on the floor and no one is looking. Will they lie, go back and change legal documents, give the wrong meds and not say anything? There are lives at risk and it says a lot about a person's character that will cheat. Why would they behave any differently outside of class? You don't change who you are depending on where you go.

We need to be concerned with other people in this situation because it's not a job that is just about knowing the material and passing a test. It's about ethics and accountability ...and ask yourself if you would want that person treating your mother, spouse, child, etc.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2009

I am absolutely convinced that there is a group of people in my med/surg class that is cheating on every test. It makes me mad because I study so hard. Should I voice my concerns to the instructor. I believe they have a test bank.

Yes, but do it quietly and behind a closed door. This means that you don't go around telling everyone else what you are doing. The instructors, if they are smart, will use the information and keep their eyes and ears open. That's all they need to do. They might just change up the way they decide to make up and give tests and that effectively shuts down any cheating going on, doesn't it?