Cheating on nursing exams

[MiaNJ]

What would you do if you found out people were cheating on nursing exams? I don't mean just copying during the tests, but I've seen people share questions from the previous semester, since some professors use the exact same tests. They don't return the tests to the students, but they don't realize that when the tests are reviewed next class, some people write down the answers. Even if the professor tells everyone not to write anything, he or she cannot make sure everyone is not writing, esp. on laptops or PDAs, and it's a large class. Also, there is also the element of 'remembering' the questions right after the test. I myself and some friends can remember many questions afterward since we look in our notes for the answers, to see how we may have scored. But we do this for our own purposes and not to recreate the test. So what's to stop certain people from writing down whatever they remember then writing more during the test review. So the following semester they share with their friends.

I am doing well in all my classes since I study hard, but I just think it's not fair that certain students may simply memorize questions and answers and get high scores. It's not even about the scores, but what kind of nurses will they be, if they don't even grasp the material as a whole and are may just memorize questions.

I am not the only one who has seen this happen, but the professors don't realize that even though they don't return the test form to us, that students can either memorize or write down the questions/answers during review.

I know it's not nice to tell on people but do you think it's fair?

[LydiaNN]

We've had similar conversations on these boards many times. I am in the ''stay out of it'' school of thought. Professors have been through school themselves, so they should know very well how important it is to change up tests so that their students aren't able to cheat this way. More likely than not, telling them is just going cause you nothing but grief.

[goats'r'us, ASN, RN]

IMHO, what you describe isn't cheating. previous exam papers were a readily available study aid where i went to school, and if the teachers didn't bother to change the exam between years, then that was their problem.

i think it's ridiculous to show exam questions and say 'don't write this down'. that's like placing the exam paper in front of everyone and saying 'hey! this is the exam paper. i want you all to read this, but don't you dare remember it'.

i would have no problem taking down the questions and answers, and i'd have no problem with anyone else doing it either.

[goriodel]

"It's scary that it's also happening in other schools. But how do we know for sure if these people can't find a way to cheat on the NCLEX? I had read some posts a while back about people sharing questions they remembered from NCLEX. Of course not everyone will get the same questions, but it's possible to have groups of people join together and share their questions, and eventually form a large collection of exact questions. At least some of those may be encountered on the NCLEX. There was an incident like recently that in the Phillipines, where a group of students were found to have cheated on the licensing nursing exam. It was a big deal on the news, and some people want the nursing school where these students attended to close down." As mentioned in this message, we had a very big national issue regarding the most recent Nursing Licensure Exam in here. It has really grown in such a huge story, that it has been occupying prime spaces on the national broad-sheets and prime-time TV news and even talk shows almost everyday. The saddest part of it all is that, it has practically put the lives of hopeful individuals in limbo, not knowing what will become of them or to the fruition of their life-long dreams and aspirations of someday becoming a duly licensed nurse, as the whole Licensure Exam altogether is being contemplated to be disregarded and a new exam be administered. Yes, thanks to the callousness and blatant inpropriety of a few "bull-hearted" individuals (students) (in connivance with other equally dishonest and "enterprising" school, review center officials and (yes) the national nursing association officials-all boils down to business and bragging rigths of producing a big number of RNs from their own institutions, which will yield more money eventually). Just a clear example why cheating or being dishonest is a bad, bad thing to do. It's like a sweet fresh banana or apple or even freshly baked pecan pie, nice and appealing at first but eventually will stink like a filthy garbage after a long while out in the open. Of course even innocent individuals like who really toiled, worked and "burned their eye-brows" to learn and pass the Exams would have to suffer. Their efforts came to naught and their sweet dreams and ambitions into a pffft. As of late, even us, RNs who took the Local Boards way ahead could be "tinted" and looked upon, disdained if you will by the whole world, and tagged as nurses coming from a country of cheats and of callous morality. That's farthest from from the truth. God forbid. Because there are more or most who did it the right way, and to generalize this uneventful, sorry "adventurism" of a handful is way uncalled for. There's no way to do it but the proper way.

[RN-Diane]

I knew people in nursing school who never did one thing by themselves. Every quiz, worksheet, careplan, ect. was a group effort. They cheated themselves through all of nursing school. They all passed NCLEX, so as for the whole sorting out thing....not sure. You can still learn plenty when you cheat, but it is still cheating. I am just glad that I do not have to work with any of them because they will probably need their hand held just to clock in.

Anyway, I think Lilpeanut made a good point. When there is any sort of "cheating patients" going on in the workplace, it is important to report it. It is very scary that these students are in clinicals with patients. I also think it is sad that we are the #1 (I think) most trusted profession, but there is so much lying and cheating going on. If everyone knew how some people got through nursing school, we probably would not be as trusted.

[Jules A, MSN]

Its very surprising to me that some people don't share our concern over students cheating. I do agree that my main focus is on my own conduct but cheating is a huge problem/danger that I feel needs to be addressed.

I believe that the professors are aware on some level and what I can't understand is why they give the same exact exam for make-ups so the same group of people just rotated a few "absent" members for every exam. Having even a few hints or pointers definitely makes a difference. As a student, being able to review the test and understand the questions I missed is crucial so when they keep using the same exams it is problematic in many ways, imo. It seems to me that outside of nursing school the professors made make-up exams either oral or essay in an effort to encourage everyone not to miss the scheduled exam. I'm with the person that said zero tolerance but in our society where everyone sues everyone and PR is so important I doubt that would fly.

[robred]

Thanks for your advice. Fortunately, I do put lots of energy in my studies and have managed to do very well so far. I don't start school again until next week, so I'm on a little break. I haven't seen a nursing student act irresponsibly, but I and some other students have noticed how several students (who we suspect cheat on tests since they score so high, yet don't know answers to some basic questions when asked by the clinical instructors), don't seem to care much about their clinical experience or patient care. There are numerous small examples, but in general, if you observed these students' behaviors and comments, you get a sense that they really don't enjoy caring for patients. I know that nursing is a popular career choice now ,and there are people who just seem to want to get into the field because they think there are lots of jobs with great pay.

The problem is that the tests are what enable students to pass, since clinicals are not graded. The instructors give a pass or fail grade,but most instructors don't want to fail students even if they feel they are not doing well. They give them warnings, but they also don't see all mistakes or lack of caring from some students.

Two thoughts....

After 10 years on the job, I've seen many physicians, technologists, and nurses/nursing assistants who "really don't enjoy caring for patients". These providers have been on the job both many more years than I and several years less. It's a fact of life; ready yourself for this reality. Again, the bottom line .... is that 'uncaring' provider endangering the safety of the client? Secondly, it's at the discretion of the prof/instructor on whether to pass/fail a student. I, too, had concerns like yours as a student more than 10 years ago. Years of experience have opened my eyes to the reality of the bottom line...'is the safety of the client the primary concern'?

[live_N_scrubs]

When I was in nursing school, I knew of at least 4 people who were cheating on exams. They would take turns going into the exam first, and then write down what they remembered on the test for others to memorize. This was possible because the way the testing schedule was set up, the class had a whole week to take an exam. These people were getting near perfect scores everytime. I finally got so frustrated that I went to the head of the nursing department and told her everything I knew. She basically said that she could not do anything about it and she reassured me that these people would never pass their boards. It has been a year now that I graduated from nursing school and every single one of them who cheated on exams have passed thier state boards. It scares me to think these people are practicing RN's now.

[justpoorfect]

I do not agree with the simplistic statement that students who cheat on exams = bad nurses. The reality is so much more complex and prone to subjectivity. For instance, we can debate the relative value of testing. Is it ever 100% accurate in measuring student knowlege, comprehension, ability to learn, retention .... etc., etc.? Or does it just show the student has mastered/not mastered the MINIMUM of information presented prior to the test? Making a good guess counts! These objective measurements are requirements of the curriculum, accreditidation bodies, and so forth.

The educator must have some room for judging the students "holistically", if you will. Does the student attend regularly? Sleep during lecture? Have ability to balance work/school/family/study time? Can they seek out answers on their own? Have they formed symbiotic relationships with peers? Do they have compassion? Recognize their limitations or seek to expand those limits? Do they desire to continue on in a dynamic and challenging area or focus on a less hectic career in an area of great need? (Both types are in demand.)

Then there are differences in teaching styles, expectations, expertise, what they perceive learning to be....

Once an RN, the "cheater" still faces "tests" on a daily basis, and must have the skills to seek out answers from preceptors, protocols, texts, new experiences and observations, etc. (This is the scientific "Knowlege Base" we hear so much about, an established "cheat sheet".) Additionally, periodic reviews and BON oversight is ongoing.

In other words, there are protections in place to weed out bad nurses all along the chain...

I doubt you will get any self-admitting cheaters to post here to gloat on how they succeeded in beating the system, as anyone very interested in all this is surely seeking to promote and enhance their growth in the field.

JMO

[MiaNJ]

I do not agree with the simplistic statement that students who cheat on exams = bad nurses. The reality is so much more complex and prone to subjectivity. For instance, we can debate the relative value of testing. Is it ever 100% accurate in measuring student knowlege, comprehension, ability to learn, retention .... etc., etc.? Or does it just show the student has mastered/not mastered the MINIMUM of information presented prior to the test? Making a good guess counts! These objective measurements are requirements of the curriculum, accreditidation bodies, and so forth.

The educator must have some room for judging the students "holistically", if you will. Does the student attend regularly? Sleep during lecture? Have ability to balance work/school/family/study time? Can they seek out answers on their own? Have they formed symbiotic relationships with peers? Do they have compassion? Recognize their limitations or seek to expand those limits? Do they desire to continue on in a dynamic and challenging area or focus on a less hectic career in an area of great need? (Both types are in demand.)

Then there are differences in teaching styles, expectations, expertise, what they perceive learning to be....

Once an RN, the "cheater" still faces "tests" on a daily basis, and must have the skills to seek out answers from preceptors, protocols, texts, new experiences and observations, etc. (This is the scientific "Knowlege Base" we hear so much about, an established "cheat sheet".) Additionally, periodic reviews and BON oversight is ongoing.

In other words, there are protections in place to weed out bad nurses all along the chain...

I doubt you will get any self-admitting cheaters to post here to gloat on how they succeeded in beating the system, as anyone very interested in all this is surely seeking to promote and enhance their growth in the field.

JMO

I understand what you're saying, and agree that tests don't always measure knowledge completely. HOWEVER, in my school and in probably many others, it's actually the test grades that determin if the student passes or fails the class. They must also pass clinicals, but these are much easier to pass since there are more allowances for mistakes and students are given warnings, and even when they make more mistakes that they should've corrected, the instructors may not always be there to witness it. I also know most instructors don't like to fail students in clinicals since they want to give them a chance, unless the student is absolutely careless or always absent, etc.

As far as the students in the classrooms who may be cheating, i can tell you that several who are getting almost perfect grades on tests are often absent, leave the class early, or have a friend sign in for them. You may ask how do we know they are cheating, and I really don't know it's them, but it just seems odd that these same students don't know the answers to simple questions during clinicals. So to me, if they are passing tests with such high scores, and don't appear to know what they're doing in clinicals, it seems suspicious.

Also, classroom tests, at least ours, involve alot of critical thinking, kind of like NCLEX questions, so if a person studies well, it should measure how much they know. They may be tricky sometimes, but they aren't extremely difficult to pass. So if a person feels the need to cheat, either they don't feel like studying, and just want to memorize questions and answers since they found a shortcut to studying, therefore they will not acquire as much knowledge as someone who actually studied well.

Even if a student is a nervous test taker or confused by the type of questions, IF they put alot of effort in their studies, they should be able to pass. Maybe not everyone is an A student, but a person who studies enough should at least get a passing grade. So tests do serve a purpose. IF a person fails miserably in every test, they must not be studying at all. Or maybe nursing is just not for them, so the test still serves a good purpose.

Of course, clinicals are important too, but if people can easily pass clinicals and not know enough nursing theory or pathophysiology, pharmacology, etc. then they may not be prepared for nursing either.

So to me, those who are cheating on tests really are cheating themselves. But I also don't like the fact that it's happening in so many schools, and if people start to realize how many cheaters they are, then even the honest students may end up suffering stereotypes, etc. People will not think nursing is such a difficult degree to pass, and it bothers me, because I find it difficult. Yet, it's not impossible and I don't regret studying, since I think it's the only way to be a good nurse.

[Bala Shark]

I understand what you're saying, and agree that tests don't always measure knowledge completely. HOWEVER, in my school and in probably many others, it's actually the test grades that determin if the student passes or fails the class. They must also pass clinicals, but these are much easier to pass since there are more allowances for mistakes and students are given warnings, and even when they make more mistakes that they should've corrected, the instructors may not always be there to witness it. I also know most instructors don't like to fail students in clinicals since they want to give them a chance, unless the student is absolutely careless or always absent, etc.

As far as the students in the classrooms who may be cheating, i can tell you that several who are getting almost perfect grades on tests are often absent, leave the class early, or have a friend sign in for them. You may ask how do we know they are cheating, and I really don't know it's them, but it just seems odd that these same students don't know the answers to simple questions during clinicals. So to me, if they are passing tests with such high scores, and don't appear to know what they're doing in clinicals, it seems suspicious.

Also, classroom tests, at least ours, involve alot of critical thinking, kind of like NCLEX questions, so if a person studies well, it should measure how much they know. They may be tricky sometimes, but they aren't extremely difficult to pass. So if a person feels the need to cheat, either they don't feel like studying, and just want to memorize questions and answers since they found a shortcut to studying, therefore they will not acquire as much knowledge as someone who actually studied well.

Even if a student is a nervous test taker or confused by the type of questions, IF they put alot of effort in their studies, they should be able to pass. Maybe not everyone is an A student, but a person who studies enough should at least get a passing grade. So tests do serve a purpose. IF a person fails miserably in every test, they must not be studying at all. Or maybe nursing is just not for them, so the test still serves a good purpose.

Of course, clinicals are important too, but if people can easily pass clinicals and not know enough nursing theory or pathophysiology, pharmacology, etc. then they may not be prepared for nursing either.

So to me, those who are cheating on tests really are cheating themselves. But I also don't like the fact that it's happening in so many schools, and if people start to realize how many cheaters they are, then even the honest students may end up suffering stereotypes, etc. People will not think nursing is such a difficult degree to pass, and it bothers me, because I find it difficult. Yet, it's not impossible and I don't regret studying, since I think it's the only way to be a good nurse.

I find your reasoning unvalid in pointing out the students who never attend class are cheating..When I was in school, I had classmates who did not attend classes frequently but just read the book...They often got the highest marks..Why? I think because they were extremely intelligent people..So you are pointing the finger at your classmates who might not be cheating..To accuse someone of cheating if a big thing, especially if you do not have proof and espeically if you are assuming!

[MiaNJ]

IMHO, what you describe isn't cheating. previous exam papers were a readily available study aid where i went to school, and if the teachers didn't bother to change the exam between years, then that was their problem.

i think it's ridiculous to show exam questions and say 'don't write this down'. that's like placing the exam paper in front of everyone and saying 'hey! this is the exam paper. i want you all to read this, but don't you dare remember it'.

i would have no problem taking down the questions and answers, and i'd have no problem with anyone else doing it either.

Well, I disagree, because it IS cheating if a person knows ahead of time the EXACT questions and answers to a test. If this wasn't cheating, then why aren't the NCLEX EXACT questions and answers printed on a book so everyone can study them, and pass the test? They aren't because it's cheating, and also against copyright laws. Why do they make people sign when taking NCLEX that they will not share any questions with anyone? It's cheating, and against the law.

The reason they don't allow us to right down the answers during review, is the same reason we don't get the exam forms back, because they don't want people to distribute them to the next class. They consider this cheating, and it is. If students were to break in to a professor's office (which has happened in other school, not necessarily nursing) and steal a test before time, it's considered cheating.

You seem to confusing writing down questions/answers for YOUR own review for the final, etc, vs. distributing them to students who have not taken the exam yet. This is indeed cheating. It may seem foolish to you for the teachers not to allow students to write down the answers, but some professors do this because they will not change exams for next semester, and don't want the questions/answers to leak to the next students, or else they won't bother to study.

The reason for the Phillipine scandal where several students were caught cheating on their licensing exam, was precisely because they had access to the questions and answers ahead of time. IF there were no problem with this, then they wouldn't have charges held against them, and all the other students who took the exam and didn't cheat didn't have to suffer the consequences and take the exam all over again.

[peds4now, RN]

Well, I personally think liars and cheaters should be kicked out of school and nursing. It is an insult to me, my effort and intelligence, and nursing when others cheat. Those who say don't worry about what others do, don't you realize how stupid many people see nurses as being? And how stupid a person has to be to have to cheat to get through school? It's disgusting. They will probably manage the NCLEX somehow and become another lousy nurse dragging down our profession.As for memorizing ?s in order to share with future students, that sounds dumb but isn't cheating. It's fine to remember questions, and it makes sense to remember them for your own use, because teachers do reuse them on finals. I think it reflects badly on the intelligence of many teachers that they cannot write new exam questions from time to time! I did see a classmate deliberately stash a paper under his scantron before a test last semester. While everyone was putting their backpacks at the front of the room (obviously cheating is an issue in my school...), I simply lifted up his scantron and said quietly but firmly "get rid of that now". He got rid of it, and after a week or 2 of avoiding each other we were friendly.