To tell or not to tell?

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi there!

So, I just finished up my first semester of nursing school. I have something that has been bothering me for some time, and would just like a little feedback. A lot of us have found ways to study, whether that be going over things in NCLEX books or other resources. Recently, some have stumbled upon quizlet. A lot of the students noticed that most of the test questions could be found on quizlet. Since then everyone has been utilizing that site. Those who weren't doing so well, have managed to bring up their grades and passed this semester. I'm not sure, how I feel about it. I know nursing school itself is hard, but everyone still has to do the work. Some students barely studied the books but instead studied quizlet. I was thinking about anonymously sending an email to the instructor but I don't want to jeopardize anyone getting in trouble. However, I just want it to be fair for everyone. For those who really works hard for it. I'm not sure how I feel and just want reassurance. I appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

OP: is the quizlet part of the course? Was it a recommended resource? I am not sure how instructors pick their exams but that would be odd for an instructor to use that solely. This is a tough one on what to do. If this was a resource that the school had on the syllabus then it is fair. But, if it is some kind of back way of obtaining test information then that is cheating.

It's a study tool, but apparently people use it to cheat, too.

I used Saunders Med-Surg Success (or something comparable for my other classes). Many times, there were almost (if not entirely) direct questions from the books. Its like a freebie. However, its not like I didn't know the material, it was just another tool for studying. It could be that these are coming from a standardized test bank. I have personally never used quizlet so I don't know what its directly about but I think question banks are a great way to study, especially if they come with a rationale.

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
I used Saunders Med-Surg Success (or something comparable for my other classes). Many times, there were almost (if not entirely) direct questions from the books. Its like a freebie. However, its not like I didn't know the material, it was just another tool for studying. It could be that these are coming from a standardized test bank. I have personally never used quizlet so I don't know what its directly about but I think question banks are a great way to study, especially if they come with a rationale.

Purchasing a book that contains sample test questions is not the same as accessing a website containing copyrighted questions posted by those who do not have permission or authorization to do so. Quizlet often contains questions from copyright protected test banks intended for use by schools for the purpose of education.

Specializes in NICU.

The questions on Quizlet came from a publisher's test bank for your textbook. Either a student from another school that uses the same textbook bought the test bank online and made a quizlet for those chapters or a classmate bought the test bank, created the quizlet, and gave the link to other classmates. That way they could deny buying the test bank and say that they found it online. Either way the questions were from a publisher's test bank.

Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

I had the same experience with Saunders. Some of my professors would pull questions directly from the practice tests. Usually it was like 10-15 questions per 50 question test, so you still had to study to (at least) pass.

As for the OP, what do you gain for notifying your instructor? The people who cheat will still get screwed in the end because they more than likely won't be able to pass the NCLEX.

As for the OP, what do you gain for notifying your instructor? The people who cheat will still get screwed in the end because they more than likely won't be able to pass the NCLEX.

You're right, I have thought about that. They'll just be screwed in the end. However, I'm just a little worried about the patients who will have them as nurses. I am not sure what to do yet. I'm still debating.

Specializes in ER.

Even if people are using the questions to pass the instructor's test, they are going to go down in flames when they get the NCLEX. So all those years of schooling...a waste, because they didn't do the work. Let them make their own bed, and I wouldn't have a bit of sympathy when they have to take the NCLEX three times. If it was me, I wouldn't bother thinking about it.

Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

If questions are word for word the same, I'd sort of be upset about it. However, as stated above, they are really just memorizing, not actually learning, comprehending and applying material, it will come back to bite them when NCLEX time comes. Or even during clinical on the floor.

Being concerned about the patients of such a student (while wanting the best for all patients and that's a good thing!) but I'm not sure if that would be a big issue, at least now in school. As long as the clinical instructor/pre-ceptor was always present when providing care to patients and would catch/correct an inppropriate action. I was in a diploma program, so I'm not exactly sure if that same rule applies to all methods of nursing school. (Diploma/ASN/BSN etc).

I attended a small, private school for biology, and then did nursing school after that. The one professor's exams were composed of at least 50% essay questions. After completing a big exam, other students were in the hallway, perusing through their notes, when I saw a copy of this exact same exam being shared. This exam was completed, with full answers & graded and the professors remarks.

A student from the same class a year ago let her roommate 'borrow' this exam. (again, WORD FOR WORD identical) I e-mailed the professor and his reply was basically: that's fine, they're just using as a study guide. Quite a few other students were also upset by professors attitude towards the situation.

If your instructors are aware, they are far from the only instructors to feel that's appropriate. Or, as schools want to have success with students completing the entire program (versus high drop-out percentages due to poor grades) they could just choose to not address the situation.

I think when deciding to tell or not, the method of those students knew about this site, how they found quizlet ( was it a google search with the question and it happened to be in search results, or word of mouth, etc.) could sway me. They are doing the studying/memorizing, but it's still sorta the easy way out (for lack of a better term). At least that's my opinion.

If you do inform instructor, I would definitely not email. Maybe a printed letter under the door/in mailbox? I imagine other students would find out who it was, even though instructors/faculty would hopefully not share the ID of concerned student. That kind of information has ways of being found out.

In the schools 'code of conduct'/handbook should be a policy about academic honesty. Is there a dean/ authoritative figure you are comfortable with or trust enough to have a private conversation?

Good luck, whichever way you decide to go.

I wouldn't be a tattle-tale.

Specializes in ICU, trauma.

it's not likely that a previous student somehow memorized these questions. What IS probably happening is that your professor is using questions generated from some book or homework questions...which is how it has ended up on quizlet. I would not consider looking at quizlet before hand cheating, and it is not the student's fault.

Specializes in ICU, trauma.
The questions on Quizlet came from a publisher's test bank for your textbook. Either a student from another school that uses the same textbook bought the test bank online and made a quizlet for those chapters or a classmate bought the test bank, created the quizlet, and gave the link to other classmates. That way they could deny buying the test bank and say that they found it online. Either way the questions were from a publisher's test bank.

Yes but these questions are intended for practice, generally home work questions, not test questions.

Specializes in ICU, trauma.
You're right, I have thought about that. They'll just be screwed in the end. However, I'm just a little worried about the patients who will have them as nurses. I am not sure what to do yet. I'm still debating.

These students did nothing wrong. Unless they used quizlet while actually taking the test, yes that would be cheating. But using quizlet to study is NOT inappropriate or cheating.

You could possibly mention that her test questions were often found on this site on her end of semester review. Because truly this is a problem with your professor and the way she is creating her tests, not with your peers.

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