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Hypothetical situation....

Student A and student B are friends, obviously both in nursing school. Both hold themselves in the top of the class. Students have to give a teaching project in class and have 3 months warning to do so. Student A has theirs done the first week, student B waited until the week before it was do to start. Student B asks student A what to do it on, Student A says "I did a project in another class regarding something you are interested in. Let me send it to you so that you can look at it and get some ideas."

Harmless so far

Fast forward to day of presentation

Student A is in the audience......Student B opens presentation (Powerpoint) it is Student A's Presentation. The ONLY difference is student B adds 3-4 slides. This is the same down to the background used.

Ethical dilemma ensues......

Would you

A ---- Freak out inside but not tell the instructor

or

B ---- Tell the instructor so that you are not "caught" in a plagiarism mess and risk your spot in the nursing program

Thanks for the advice

BTW.....I am student A

BTW if your student "A" how is the situation hypothetical?

Hypothetical for each person who reads and answers the question, real for me.

Well,

I stewed and cried, I am NOT a crier, got mad, felt very dejected and humiliated, felt like a fool, heartbroken, numb, and then I made the hardest phone call I have had to make in school. I called my instructor and informed her of the situation. Now, I would like to add that this offense took place on Weds of this week, our finals were yesterday (Thursday). So I sat through finals with this mess on my mind. I still don't know how I did on them. Apparently student B sat through with no problems. The instructor and our Nursing Director spoke to student B at some point after I left testing yesterday. I called the instructor and asked how student B was doing. She said it was going to take her awhile to regroup. (Ummmm is it me or am I the one who should take time to regroup)? Anywho, I appreciate each of you and your honesty in the situation.

PLEASE learn from my mistake, however helpful you are trying to be, don't put yourself in a position to have to face something like this.

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btw if your student "a" how is the situation hypothetical?

hypothetical for each person who reads and answers the question, real for me.

well,

i stewed and cried, i am not a crier, got mad, felt very dejected and humiliated, felt like a fool, heartbroken, numb, and then i made the hardest phone call i have had to make in school. i called my instructor and informed her of the situation. now, i would like to add that this offense took place on weds of this week, our finals were yesterday (thursday). so i sat through finals with this mess on my mind. i still don't know how i did on them. apparently student b sat through with no problems. the instructor and our nursing director spoke to student b at some point after i left testing yesterday. i called the instructor and asked how student b was doing. she said it was going to take her awhile to regroup. (ummmm is it me or am i the one who should take time to regroup)? anywho, i appreciate each of you and your honesty in the situation.

please learn from my mistake, however helpful you are trying to be, don't put yourself in a position to have to face something like this.

i'm glad this worked out for you.

had this been me, i don't think i would have given student b my previous hard work. i had a situation where a person who is in my nursing program wanted to "borrow" some notes from a presentation i did previously in the class she was currently in. i told her i dont have my notes any longer, but i can bounce off some ideas. yes, i still had my notes and powerpoint, but i was not about to let her "use" them.

i think what i would have done in this situation is spoke with student b first and took it from there.

just curious, did any other students know it was your previous work (maybe students in previous classes), or was this something between you and student b (as far as knowledge is concerned)?

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We have all been together in the same classes for 2 years.......

Yes, hind sight is 20-20. I did learn a lesson about so-called "friends" and those who are just out for numero uno. It is sad all around....

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Specializes in acute care.

this person thought nothing of you when she did what she did, so you did what you had to do for YOU. And the fact that she was able to go through the presentation with you in the audience.... WOW, some folks have no shame. What does she have to say for herself? Yea, I might have spoken to her, but honestly it would have only been to rip her a new one.

Take care and good luck.

BTW if your student "A" how is the situation hypothetical?

Hypothetical for each person who reads and answers the question, real for me.

Well,

I stewed and cried, I am NOT a crier, got mad, felt very dejected and humiliated, felt like a fool, heartbroken, numb, and then I made the hardest phone call I have had to make in school. I called my instructor and informed her of the situation. Now, I would like to add that this offense took place on Weds of this week, our finals were yesterday (Thursday). So I sat through finals with this mess on my mind. I still don't know how I did on them. Apparently student B sat through with no problems. The instructor and our Nursing Director spoke to student B at some point after I left testing yesterday. I called the instructor and asked how student B was doing. She said it was going to take her awhile to regroup. (Ummmm is it me or am I the one who should take time to regroup)? Anywho, I appreciate each of you and your honesty in the situation.

PLEASE learn from my mistake, however helpful you are trying to be, don't put yourself in a position to have to face something like this.

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I know some people who would go to the guilty party and demand money to keep their mouth shut about it. I agree with what Daytonite said. Keep quiet about it and don't associate with this person anymore when it comes to school matters.

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i would definetly tell the instructor...student B will not go down with you... let the instructor know what happened exactly and have proof if possible. most instructors are pretty understanding. let them know that you are having a hard time because she is your 'friend' (:nono:) they might be descrete in telling student B. you gotta look at it this way... if you get kicked out of nursing school, your nursing CAREER may be in jeopardy, meaning you may NEVER be a nurse!!! now, is that worth to keep a 'friend' who used your work without even giving you a heads up? this is your life you are talking about.....:nurse:

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i would definitely NOT keep my mouth shut. That just screams I am as guilty as student B. Then when the time comes when student A is questioned about the plagiarism you have to explain why you did not come forth if you knew about it. I would take the initiative to go to the instructor and explain the situation. Let alone how will no one notice the plagarism? I mean student A explains the projects were identical down to the background. And they had to present them to the class and instructor. Pretty sad if everyone misses the fact that they saw one presentation twice. If I was in this situation I would not risk my education for student B. And will not let someone get away with something like this. Letting them get away only tells them they can get away with it. And other students may not be aware of what student B has done and they may too become caught in the same situation and have their education at risk. Better to take care of student B now than to risk student A's education and possibly other student's as well.

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Specializes in heart failure and prison.

I had a similar situation in nursing school. The only thing that saved me, was I had turned in my project 2 weeks before it was due, so my instructor could help me make chagnes, so my instructor knew it was my work. Anyway, 2 make a long story, the student receieved a F for the project. The bad part is, I would never give my project to anyone else. But, if I was you, I would have a nice long talk with student B. But, I would only speak to the instructor, if it comes up. Good luck

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Specializes in CTICU.

As per the OP's most recent post, she already reported this to the instructor.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

There was a similar situation in my nursing program, only Student A gave her work ro Student B knowing that she was going to use it as the assignment to be graded.

Student A was booted from the program and student B was reprimanded. Not sure why they werent both given the same punishment.

Nurz2be~I think you did the right thing. If you wouldnt have said anything, and it came to light at a later time, you wouldve looked guilty for not saying anything in the first place. Good Luck. :)

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I appreciate everyone's replies. It is a mess no matter what, I guess I just wish people thought more. Thought more about other people when they act on a situation. I can't tell you how much I have grieved over this mess since it happened. Our nursing director said that she would facilitate a reconciliation between myself and Student B prior to the new semester starting. 7 months left and this.....it seems far away still.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

As an Instructor I have seen this happen and my opinion of BOTH students declines considerably. I would talk to the the Dean (no emails please!) and tell him/her how disappointed you are in the way Student B handled the situation and that you have learned a bitter lesson yourself. The Dean may elect not to pursue with the Instructor. Your former friend may get off this time, but they will be watching from now on and she will have a hard time clearing her name. You are to keep your name good so you can get references upon graduation!

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