Cheating in an FNP program

[elise1180]

I attend maryville university and know several students who have cheated on our first patho test. The tests are online and people actually bragged how they all got together for the test. One had the book open, one had the study guide and another had Google ready to find answers. I feel like this is totally unfair for those of us that are working hard to honestly get through the program.

Would you say anything? Or stay out of it and hope it eventually catches up to them?

[Go-GetterRN]

I'm afraid things like this are going to make NPs the laughingstock of all medical providers. Once enough of these students cheat their way through online schooling and start harming patients, it will diminish everyones opinions of nurse practitioners, and probably lead to more limitations on scope of practice. Cheating probably occurs in just about every program out there, but do you think med students or PA students would get away with shenanigans like this? Doubtful. Scary thing is, NPs have just as much responsibility and similair amounts of autonomy as these other two groups. Online NP programs have always scared me, and this is one of the reasons why.

I thought students were required to take online tests with a webcam or in a supervised environment?

Since you posted the specific program this occurred at, my advice would be to talk to somebody about it. It probably won't be long until they find out, IMO.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

I'm afraid things like this are going to make NPs the laughingstock of all medical providers. Once enough of these students cheat their way through online schooling and start harming patients, it will diminish everyones opinions of nurse practitioners, and probably lead to more limitations on scope of practice. Cheating probably occurs in just about every program out there, but do you think med students or PA students would get away with shenanigans like this? Doubtful. Scary thing is, NPs have just as much responsibility and similair amounts of autonomy as these other two groups. Online NP programs have always scared me, and this is one of the reasons why.

I thought students were required to take online tests with a webcam or in a supervised environment?

Since you posted the specific program this occurred at, my advice would be to talk to somebody about it. It probably won't be long until they find out, IMO.

Humm, might want to scroll back a few posts, med students have been getting away with this and a lot more for decades, and that was in classrooms!

[Eru Ilúvatar]

I'm afraid things like this are going to make NPs the laughingstock of all medical providers. Once enough of these students cheat their way through online schooling and start harming patients, it will diminish everyones opinions of nurse practitioners, and probably lead to more limitations on scope of practice. Cheating probably occurs in just about every program out there, but do you think med students or PA students would get away with shenanigans like this? Doubtful. Scary thing is, NPs have just as much responsibility and similair amounts of autonomy as these other two groups. Online NP programs have always scared me, and this is one of the reasons why.

I thought students were required to take online tests with a webcam or in a supervised environment?

Since you posted the specific program this occurred at, my advice would be to talk to somebody about it. It probably won't be long until they find out, IMO.

Any cheating in any of those programs is an oxymoron since there is a Board Exam at the end. If you cheat all your way through school you wont be able to pass the exam, since they are comprehensive and application based. So dont worry, however passes the boards, cheated or not during school, is at least minimally prepared to practice. If they survive that point afterwards thats another story.

[prbjackson]

Oh my gosh!! This upsets me!! I attend an on line program but we utilize a computer called remote proctor that video tapes you while you take your exams. I can't believe that anyone in a professional program would do such a thing.

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I'm going to have to use that word more often...shenaniganry

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

My first thought was that these are the same people you see busted for fraud after they are licensed/certified. They get away with cheating for so long that they think they cannot get caught. They will eventually hang themselves even if you never see it happen. Your goal is to graduate on time, pass boards, and become a competent HONEST professional. Keep it moving in that direction.

[orrncnor]

I attend Maryville, University. Although I have not been cheating, it is very concerning to read this. I am done with my pathophysiology, and had a good grade that I worked hard for. You know they are right. It will shake out in the end, can't cheat on boards!

[Tarshapitt]

At the end of the day everyone must take Boards.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

Maryville has 2 tests in pathophysiology that are proctored, and 2 that are not. I started this past January. The same is for pharmacology. I personally think its a good school.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

I have had open book tests that are just as hard as closed book. Maryville tests are timed so even if you did "cheat". , it wouldn't benefit you because the answers would be hard to find in such a short amount of time.

[Kris1981]

I am currently a student at Maryville University and they are in the process of mandating proctored exams. The exams are also timed which makes it very difficult to search for answers with out the time running out. I am also surprised and disheartened by the mud slinging at online schools. While it is a different approach I grant you it is every bit as challenging as a brick and mortar school. Maybe even more so at times considering you do not have the structure of a classroom. One has to be very driven to complete online class work. Furthermore, until you have sat in the seat of those taking online classes and walked in their shoes you have no room to judge.