How do you handle cheaters?

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Alright here is the story in as short and brief terms as possible. One of my classes is taught in a lecture auditorium with about 90 seats and 72 students. Exams are given in this auditorium. It resembles a movie theater with rising rows one section is dead center and their are two sections--one to the right and one to the left. Obviously testing under these conditions is "uncomfortable" to put it in one word because if you want to cheat all you have to do is move your eyes..no looking up or twisting of the head is necessary. Most people have their papers covered like hawks.

It became apparent to me after the exam that multiple people were discussing their cheating habits on the exam and those who didn't even bother to open a book received a grade in the high 90's..and how funny is it that so did the person next to the other. I don't really care about what grade everyone gets..it just bothers me that people are cheating on these types of exams. If they can't answer the questions themselves I don't want them standing over my loved one's bed.

As you can imagine because the room is split into three sections it is impossible for the professor to watch all sides at once. When I was in LPN school they were much more strict about adequate room between those that were testing. At least one empty desk between each student and the class wasn't as large.

My question is..should I keep my mouth shut and keep it moving..or is this something that needs to brought to the professors attention. I think that I should bring it up..but if I had to I would want to bring it up anonymously. How do you guys feel because I am feeling a tad bit enraged at the persistent lack of integrity that is demonstrated amongst my classmates.:angryfire

Thanks in advance for your help.

I am enrolled in an LPN to RN 1+1 program. Obviously, this means that I will complete the LPN program, and then move on to the RN program. The LPN program starts out with 60 spots, and the RN starts out with 32. So, we have to "compete" against each other in order to secure a spot in the RN program. So, let's think about this from a different angle: If I see someone cheating their way through the program, and I don't report it, what do you think is going to happen when it comes time to move on? There could be a very real chance that I could lose my spot to the person who cheated, simply because they're GPA is higher than mine. That kind of makes it my business, wouldn't you say?

I am enrolled in an LPN to RN 1+1 program. Obviously, this means that I will complete the LPN program, and then move on to the RN program. The LPN program starts out with 60 spots, and the RN starts out with 32. So, we have to "compete" against each other in order to secure a spot in the RN program. So, let's think about this from a different angle: If I see someone cheating their way through the program, and I don't report it, what do you think is going to happen when it comes time to move on? There could be a very real chance that I could lose my spot to the person who cheated, simply because they're GPA is higher than mine. That kind of makes it my business, wouldn't you say?

Well see, at least you're honest. Its as much for personal reasons with everyone else that posted as well, far more so then there happens to be a clause in an agreement they signed.

With that said, yes...it makes it your buisness. Is it right? Not really. It's kind of a cutthroat way to see to your own interests. But I wouldn't blame you for that. The competitive environment fosters that type of behavior, and they may not deserve the spot as much as you do anyways. But it isn't about morality in the least.

Well see, at least you're honest. Its as much for personal reasons with everyone else that posted as well, far more so then there happens to be a clause in an agreement they signed.

With that said, yes...it makes it your buisness. Is it right? Not really. It's kind of a cutthroat way to see to your own interests. But I wouldn't blame you for that. The competitive environment fosters that type of behavior, and they may not deserve the spot as much as you do anyways. But it isn't about morality in the least.

I understand that you have a different perspective than I, but please don't tell me what my motivations are. Just because a perspective differs from yours doesn't make it dishonest....it makes it different.

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

When these cheaters pass the NCLEX, apply for the same job as you; and get it over you, will you be wishing you reported them? I do not want to work with a cheater and I do not want my family nor I being cared for by a cheater. Don't assume it will catch up to them; very well if it does it will be when a patient gets hurt. I am proud of getting honors in nursing school, I don't care to share that glory with a faker. I find it hard not to get suspicious when people tell you to "mind your own business" when people come on here asking about what to do about cheaters. I despise cheaters and think they have no place in nursing. But that is just IMO. I rather fail on my own terms than succeed by false pretenses.

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I have to comment on the NCLEX comments. Have you ever met a nurse that seemed to be dumb as rocks or you thought to yourself, how the heck did they ever get through college let alone nursing school? Nurses that just seemed to be so clueless or negligent etc. etc.

It happens, I have seen plenty of nurses that had no business being a nurse. I have met someone that seems so smart and so with it and knew what she was talking about and did well in NS but couldn't pass NCLEX maybe the anxiety was to much?? I dunno.

But regardless, although this might not me the majority or the norm. Shady people slip through the cracks all the time. I am sure if you take NCLEX enough times you will eventually get the hang of it and pass. Shoot I just read an article about some woman in the Philippines I think it was that just passed her driving test after something like 86 tries.

This whole concept that only the best and the smartest and the honest will pass the almighty NCLEX is absurd. Not all nurses are good smart honest nurses!

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I could make an exaggerated example here, but I don't think its necessary. I think you can find the point here on your own.

Again, I've never made the point that cheating was right. Thats not the issue. Cheating is wrong. Lets all agree on that and move on. The issue is whether or not the op should have the maturity to handle her own buisness without going out of her way to bring others down. Those that cheat are making their own bed, and they'll have to lie in it eventually. Or maybe, they'll realize that taking the shortcuts aren't going to give them the tools they need to succeed, and they'll get their acts together and shape up and move on to become excellent nurses. If thats the path they're going to take, is it really your place to sabotage them because you don't feel they deserve it?

If you happen to pull up in a parking spot and notice the parking meter for the car next to you is expired, is it really your place to call up the meter maid and report it? Or does that make you the proverbial *******?

Bottom line, theres plenty of people that bust their asses out there to be a nurse, and don't make it. It's a long and vigorous screening process. And anyone that manages to obtain their liscence deserves to be a nurse.

WOW really??? So if a nurse is stealing a patients meds does she still deserve to be a nurse because she passed a NCLEX test and got her license? If she is cutting corners and risking her patients lives does she deserve to still be a nurse because she managed to pass NCLEX and get her License. There is a LOT MORE to being a good nurse or just being a nurse then passing NCLEX

I would report it.

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
This whole concept that only the best and the smartest and the honest will pass the almighty NCLEX is absurd.
With that, I could not agree more. I think the NCLEX was a marginal assessment. I mean really, 75 multiple-choice (OK, with a few SATAs) questions and no skill assessment? I think it's a little embarrassing, actually, by comparison with any other licensing exam of which I'm aware.
I understand that you have a different perspective than I, but please don't tell me what my motivations are. Just because a perspective differs from yours doesn't make it dishonest....it makes it different.

-shrug- I honestly don't care enough about this subject to be this argumentative. You're right, I don't know what's going through your head or why you do what you do. I don't agree with it, regardless. But it's not the end of the world either way.

Specializes in Hospice, Home Health, Med/Surg.

Yes, cheating is unacceptable, shows a gross lack of integrity, and is indicative of the type of nurse those people will be. But what also concerns me is the rampant poor spelling and incorrect grammar usages displayed in the profession and on this very forum! Come on, people. Being a "professional" means a lot of things. If you don't know the difference between when to use "there," "their," and "they're" then you have no business calling yourself a professional.

Specializes in general surgical, women's surgery.

When I was in nursing school, I was unaware of a student who was cheating in our class, but apparently she was rotating throughout the room and copying off of others' exams. I always made A's and she ended up next to me for a few weeks. A couple of other students approached me and warned me to cover my paper b/c this student was "using me" as several others had noticed her looking at my test paper when I was unaware. I was new to the school and hadn't taken pre-reqs with the others, but apparently, they all knew that she'd cheated in previous courses. They wanted to warn me that if this student and I ended up with the same test score, missing identical questions, then I might also be accused of cheating. Although I hadn't actually seen her cheat from me, I was disturbed with the idea and as I thought back to the previous few weeks, I realized certain gestures and comments she'd made to me seemed awkward and fake. I recalled her wearing a hat to school on test days, realizing she could shield her wandering eyes with the brim of her cap. I decided to go to the professor and report my suspicions and what I'd been told by other students in the class... feeling pretty stupid to be the last one to figure it out. The Dean called me into her office to discuss the situation with me and to thank me for expressing my concerns. I was told that several professors were suspicious, but no one had yet caught anyone cheating and that they'd needed a student to come forth with an accusation of some kind. With my reporting what the class was saying, their concerns were validated and they began proctoring tests much more rigidly, setting up rules that didn't allow hats to be worn as well as a number of other new rules. The girl was watched closely and we all carefully covered our papers during test times. Before the semester ended, she withdrew from the nursing program b/c she was failing 2 courses.

In a situation like this, I'd share my concerns regarding the testing conditions: it'll be like flashing an alert to the instructor but sparing you the trouble of reporting people without sufficient grounds.

Hey guys, have you ever being in an exam room when a long-time-cheater is publicly caught and exposed?

It's such a strange situation: I felt sorry, and satisfied all at the same time. Unfortunately he kept on doing it and graduated with great marks but without the respect of his classmates.

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