ethical dilemma

ThinkingAboutIt · Oct 13, 2003

I am not in nursing, and I cannot tell you about the ramifications of exposing your fraud.

Here is a quote that may provide you with some insight to your delimma:

"Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. "

purplemania, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2003

I would not expose them to the school but I would not consider this person a friend either

This was a huge undertaking and did not occur overnight. You had plenty of opportunities to back out. Let me guess---boyfriend? You didn't get paid? Now you want to get back at them and feel good about it too. Yes, this person did wrong, but so did you.

WntrMute2 · Oct 13, 2003

*It would matter a great deal to me.

*Yes, personal integrity is important, but we all know the correct answer when asked about it in an interview.

*I haven't decided about whether i would want them exposed. Part of me says yes as I don't want a cheat in my proffesion

*They probably will get kicked out of school unless you were credited.

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2003

Since you were part of the deception, you have to accept responsibility too.

What you and he/she did was cheating and yes, I'd be upset if I were a student in the same program.

Of course ethics and integrity is part of taking care of people's lives.

Yes, I'd want them exposed as it is unsafe for someone who cheated on something as simple as a paper to be a member of the medical profession where people's lives are at stake. Cheat a little at anesthesia and you could kill someone.

Yes, it could get them kicked out and that's a good thing. Cheaters should never prosper.

Lives are at stake here. And your own conscience and integrity.

Just my humble opinion as a regular old nurse.

steph

NCgirl · Oct 13, 2003

They'll definitely be kicked out of school. I'm not sure where I stand on all of the questions. I wouldn't want a classmate of mine cheating on a test or ANY clinical aspect, but I'm not sure how much I'd care about a paper. It's personally unethical in my opinion, but I don't know if I'd want to see someone kicked out of NA school b/c of a paper. Hard questions with no right answer. Good luck in making these hard decisions.

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2003

I think it is to late to do anything without ruining alot at this point BUT I would take it as a live and learn lesson.

Just my thoughts,

renerian

London88 · Oct 13, 2003

I am trying to understand the logic behind writing a 100 percent of a paper for somebody and then crying foul play. Why did you write the paper? What was the understanding between the two of you when you were writing the paper. At what point did you decide that the situation was unethical? I would think long and hard before deciding to ruin somebody over a paper I chose to write without a gun to my head. I once wrote an essay for a friend to get a job. She has been in that job for fifteen years and I do not regret helping her out.

ctbsurf · Oct 14, 2003

i would not turn this person in. if this was a true friend i don't think you would be asking this question. the fact that you agreed to do this puts half of the fault on you. this person cheated themselves and his/her classmates. this will not lead to him/her killing people in the OR, his/her clinical skills will determine that. if he/she continues to be unethical in their decision making, it will sooner or later catch up to them.

if you feel guilty about writing his/her paper just think about how guilty you will feel when s/he gets kicked out of school ruining his/her chance in persuing their dreams. talk to this person and tell them how you feel and make sure they understand how serious this is. hopefully they will grow up quick and learn a valuable lesson, and eventually become a great/ethical nurse anesthetist.

we all make mistake and sometimes take shortcuts we should'nt but don't always necessarily need to be hung for it.

let us know what results

CarolinaGrl · Oct 14, 2003

I would not turn the person in. But I don't think that I would help him/her again with school work. I have several reasons for saying this: (1) I'm not a CRNA, but it was difficult enough to get through my accelerated BSN program with the grades I wanted. My friend and I helped eachother out - not whole papers but research, study guides etc. I consider both of us very ethical nurses at this point although teachers would not have supported our actions. (2) Another person I know is in anesthesia school - she has actually paid me to do a little research and typing here and there (granted not writing papers or anything). She is also an ethical person and nurse.

My point is that sometimes help is necessary and I see it as teamwork. Your case is a bit exaggerated, but turning someone in to clear your conscience would probably cause more problems than solve. The saying that keeps coming to mind is something like - If it happens once, shame on them. If it happens twice, shame on you.

Just my opinion.

bernadettes · Oct 14, 2003

Let's see...Just completing a bioethics course: the rules are do not cheat. You both participated in cheating. The consequences for revealing the cheat will probably get her kicked out of school and you will have no real consequences except maybe a lost friendship. Is that worth it to you? Is revenge something you are looking for? What is your motivation for now complaining about what you did for her willingly?

sjoe · Oct 14, 2003

"I am trying to understand the logic behind writing a 100 percent of a paper for somebody and then crying foul play."

You and me both. Kind of makes me wonder about the motives involved, both in writing the paper and in thoughts about revealing "the truth." "Hell hath no fury...." and all of that. (Revenge is an equal opportunity motivation--works for both woman and men. Ditto for blackmail.)