Looking for a little guidance here. Several of my classmates in my BSN program are sharing test banks. I know everyone has their opinion on test banks and I'm not here to debate that. My program has made it clear that test banks are not allowed and said they have dismissed students for using them. The classmates have shared it in our group chat, so we all have access to it. I personally see test banks as cheating and have not tried to access them. But I feel I'm in a tough position. Should I try to report it anonymously? I feel like if I do, they might punish the people who haven't used them but didn't report it, which they obviously don't deserve. If I don't, then I feel like I'm working my a** off studying while some people are getting A's just by memorizing answers.
Should I just put my head in the sand and let it slide? I honestly wish they had just kept it amongst themselves and not said anything. Ignorance is bliss LOL. I really don't want to be a huge tattle tale, but I've worked so hard to be where I'm at and they're making me nervous by doing this.
I try to comprehend what I'm reading. I'm not memorizing it. It's just impossible. I read my assigned readings and do practice test related to them. I have books from ATI and Saunders.
I've been alright in my tests. I don't have to worry too much.
And the real cause was the faculty not writing their own questions.
Here's an unforgettable question I once wrote: (And I did this all on my own)
A 63 year old patient, who has a permanent trach is being discharged.
What teaching should be included in his/her home plan?
(I cannot remember the other options including the right one except this one..)]
Cover the stoma with plastic wrap when showering.
The majority picked this one. They explained they were thinking of covering IV sites with gloves/wrap when showering. Well. I realized that I had never effectively taught for these students to internalize the stoma as the only airway.
This made me laugh. However, it is a real mark of honor to you that you identified the problem as “I didn’t effectively teach them” rather than “All these kids are idiots.” Because let’s be real, they were showing pretty good critical thinking! They knew they needed to plastic-wrap anything invasive. They just clearly didn’t know what a tracheostomy really WAS. What an adventure for you as a teacher!
The instructors at OP's school probably haven't gone through a test-writing workshop.
A true MSN that is devoted to nursing education will cover this with their teaching content in an entry program. But since most nursing education programs hire anyone with an advanced degree (MSN in nursing education including, NPs) to teach because anyone with an MSN is eligible for a professor role these goals may not be met.
... But to teach the following is necessary to be an effective teacher. 1) investigating the content, reviewing what would be the best sections for the readers of their books to read (They have paid $$$ for the book) USE IT ; 2) utilizing at least 3 resources for content, developing the educator's goals/lectures for the content, creating the oral/written content to be delivered, creating additional learning experiences and some project (class activities) to summarize the most important points.
3) Students will love having an NP teach them but when the 'rubber hits the road' they will find out the nursing strategies they needed as a floor nurse to learn were not delivered.
4) I have worked with the best MSN NPs who created engaging lectures, great classroom room activities . Our students did very well on the unit exams, ATI exams and NCLEX. These MSN NPs decided that teaching in a basic entry nursing program was for them and they STAYED, semester after semester.
5) On the other hand we had some MSN NP instructors just working to wait it out until they would get an NP job and it showed.
The basis of the publisher's test bank is they are designed to be quality questions.
This is an example of a basic knowledge and comprehension question that a textbook would provide. "What information from the CNA would the RN respond to immediately with an insulin dependent patient "
I would just continue to study the way you feel is right to you. It will pay off when you take your state board. Also, if you feel the group that you are in is not a good fit, just remove yourself from the group because reporting them can back fire on you.
Get out of that group chat stat. It wouldn’t be my style to report it because I think the people using these will get their due when they can’t think their way through an original question or clinical situation. But I get it if you’re wanting to clear your name with faculty in the event that this chat is discovered.
iNurs5, CNA
471 Posts
I try to comprehend what I'm reading. I'm not memorizing it. It's just impossible. I read my assigned readings and do practice test related to them. I have books from ATI and Saunders.
I've been alright in my tests. I don't have to worry too much.