cheating classmates!

LovebugLPN · Feb 22, 2010

Okay, you seem like a very nice guy and that seems like a very nice way to handle it but understand that not everyone would handle it that way. Maybe if the student is some 18 year old it might change something in my mind but I didn't go to school with any. I went to school with grown @@@ adults and I would report them to an instructor in a heartbeat just like I am sure they would have done to me if I had ever cheated.

CuriousMe · Feb 22, 2010

I think I have failed to make my point. As the son of a former Korean war vet Jar head you can bet your ____ that cheating was something my dad would have disemboweled me for. Never said I condoned cheating or am I making excuses for the cheaters, rather I state again and strongly reiterate tolerance.
With that said, I do not believe my feeling on the subject are so strong that I would risk ruining a kids life by getting him or her expelled for falling to a bad choice. If I were so inclined that the would be cheater bothered me, I would approach this individual in private, and explain that I saw what you were doing, further I would explain that this was the final warning as I do not want to see it being done in front of me, further cheating would be reported or something like that.

I guess that's where we diverge....I don't think that I'm risking ruining their life.....that was the risk they took.

Goes back to my bank robbery analogy, the witness who testifies at the trial isn't ruining the thief's life, they're just reporting what they saw.

I would testify if I saw someone robbing a bank, and I would report any cheating I witnessed to the Prof.

On top of my personal belief's on this topic, I also signed an honor code (required to sign it every year) that says if I witness someone cheating and don't report it, I'm as guilty of cheating as they are.

Now all this being said....I'm obviously not looking for cheaters. Goodness knows I'm FAR to busy :uhoh3: but, if I happened to witness it, I would have to follow my conscience.

I also don't necessarily think that a student should be expelled for cheating once, but I feel that's a decision for the faculty to make, not me. When I was a manager, I would prefer an employee let me know about an employee of mine doing something (theft is the one off the top of my head that might be a similar situation). As the manager, it's my job to investigate and discipline appropriately (which I can't do if I don't know about it). I consider the faculty to be in that position now, as a student, it's not my business past reporting.

Your intentions in not reporting them (the first time) and warning them is very kind-hearted. I don't know that I agree that it is the kind thing to do though. But that's the beauty of this grand world, we don't have to all agree

caffeineRx · Feb 27, 2010

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Michaelxy · Feb 27, 2010

This happens in my class as well, and although I have not said anything, it bothers me.

I appreciate your frustration and I am not suggesting that cheating be tolerated, at the same time I have my own problems and enough to worry about. I rather work on my own success and let the others follow their own course and like the old adage, you reap what you sow.

It's not her job to confront these slackers.

Nor is it to be hall monitor, that is the proctors job.

It has nothing to do with her "dissatisfaction". They are breaking the rules and getting ahead.

Hardly getting ahead, For the cheater, their days are numbered and failure is imminent.

Further more, most of my classmates are very competitive and enjoy the bragging rights of a higher score.

caffeineRx · Feb 27, 2010

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Michaelxy · Feb 27, 2010

And yes..it's not the OP's job to be a hall monitor. However, I'm not sure what kind of college you attend, but in my college we are told to report this. Do we? Probably not as much as we should..if at all.

Well, I am in the normal kind of college so not sure what you are implying? I served in the U.S. military (most likely before you were born) and we were taught to police our own before going up the chain of command. I still follow this code of conduct.

caffeineRx · Feb 27, 2010

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PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2010

ANYWAY, to interject with my own thoughts on the subject:

Nursing will be my 2nd career, and with 2 degrees and all that academic experience behind me, I have matured and come to love learning. I loathe cheaters, seriously. Especially when they try to cheat off of ME. I dedicate hours to my task, I feel as if someone is stealing my knowledge to benefit themselves.

Think Columbine, Virginia Tech, and numerous other unfortunate examples (not that this is related to the topic, just as an illustration). Is it really worth it to confront the cheater? Do you really know who you're dealing with? I don't want that student coming back to school with a gun and my name on a list as a target after he has been caught cheating and reprimanded. When I have witnessed and reported cheating (and I'm talking blatant, NOT suspected instances) I do so anonymously so that it never comes back to bite me. Granted, I have only reported such instances twice in my life but I have managed to maintain my anonymity and my own peace of mind from retribution. But in this way I also feel I have fulfilled my duty under the honor code.

NOW, in an instance where the cheater is a friend (strict use of the term), I don't have a problem offering a soft warning directly and in fact will offer to help the student not cheat by helping them study.

I also believe karma comes back to the cheaters in some way, how does someone manage to get through NCLEX as a cheater? You have to know your stuff I assume! Like many have said, I don't spend my time policing ... I have enough trouble making sure I am on top of my own game but if I see it and I am sure it's cheating, I will tell.

caffeineRx · Feb 27, 2010

ANYWAY, to interject with my own thoughts on the subject:
Nursing will be my 2nd career, and with 2 degrees and all that academic experience behind me, I have matured and come to love learning. I loathe cheaters, seriously. Especially when they try to cheat off of ME. I dedicate hours to my task, I feel as if someone is stealing my knowledge to benefit themselves.
Think Columbine, Virginia Tech, and numerous other unfortunate examples (not that this is related to the topic, just as an illustration). Is it really worth it to confront the cheater? Do you really know who you're dealing with? I don't want that student coming back to school with a gun and my name on a list as a target after he has been caught cheating and reprimanded. When I have witnessed and reported cheating (and I'm talking blatant, NOT suspected instances) I do so anonymously so that it never comes back to bite me. Granted, I have only reported such instances twice in my life but I have managed to maintain my anonymity and my own peace of mind from retribution. But in this way I also feel I have fulfilled my duty under the honor code.
NOW, in an instance where the cheater is a friend (strict use of the term), I don't have a problem offering a soft warning directly and in fact will offer to help the student not cheat by helping them study.
I also believe karma comes back to the cheaters in some way, how does someone manage to get through NCLEX as a cheater? You have to know your stuff I assume! Like many have said, I don't spend my time policing ... I have enough trouble making sure I am on top of my own game but if I see it and I am sure it's cheating, I will tell.

Exactly! WELL SAID Paco.

moma8gma1 · Feb 27, 2010

I agree with CaffeineRX: well said, Paco! :)

I, too, love learning, and at 47, I don't have time to waste. I'm serious about my studies, and I'm happy to help my fellow classmates as we figure this stuff out together. Once test time comes, though, we're all on our own.

By the way, my prof e-mailed me a "thanks" and said he'd keep a better eye out. That's all I wanted.

MiaNursingStudent · Mar 3, 2010

ANYWAY, to interject with my own thoughts on the subject:
I loathe cheaters, seriously. Especially when they try to cheat off of ME. I dedicate hours to my task, I feel as if someone is stealing my knowledge to benefit themselves.

I know this sounds crazy-- but I seriously thought I was the only one that was feeling this way! lol. I am already in the nursing program at my school and have the unfortunate displeasure of being acquainted with someone who cheats. It first started with her asking me to "help her study", which in her mind means I do the work and she writes it down. So after I told her that I do better studying by myself and doing homework by myself, she moved on to a new person to copy from!!

The most infuriating part is that she uses our school's program that accomodates students with disabilities (whether it be ADD, dyslexia, test anxiety, etc) but only since nursing school started. She never used them for our pre-req classes. The special accomodations allows her to take her exams in a private room, with no proctor!, and she gets twice the amount of time that we get!!! I know that my suspicions about her cheating is all speculation, but when you make a 97% on the first exam yet don't know the answer to one of the questions that was on the first exam, that looks fishy.... at least to me it does. I'm not saying it isn't possible for her to make an A on the exam, but when you talk to her regarding any nursing interventions, assessments, or care plans- she has a blank stare on her face. ARGH!!!! It's just aggravating to know that I studied my heart out to make an A and she's just floating by at the top of the class and still doesn't know anything.

But, word of the wise (and this came from my friend who just got her CRNA), just stay out of other people's drama and worry about yourself.... after all, you can't cheat on the NCLEX.

Melanie19877 · Mar 4, 2010

I heard this week that there were copies of tests flying around for my anatomy test. Someone even said to me "you didn't get a copy, I can make you a copy".

I don't want a copy. Those people who have the test will only make it harder for themselves when they get in the higher level classes and can't understand the knowledge because they cheated their way through their previous classes.

It's good you told the instructor but depending on the circumstances (like in my example, tests going around) there's not a lot they can do other than changing the test. If they catch the person that's great.

Good luck in school!