How can I gracefully and tactfully say No?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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I am in a Lpn to Rn program that I'd pretty fast paced, each semester is 10 weeks long. Anywho, I finished my care plan which took me 2 days to do and handed it in in time. One of my classmate just asked me if she can have my care plan when the teacher gives it back to me. Evidently to copy from it. I'm very upset as it took a lot of time and effort for me to complete for my classmate to just have it handed on her lap. I don't want to be mean but how can I gracefully say no? I dodged around her question and said "if she even gives it back." I feel bad with her issues, a family member of hers just died and she is planning the funeral. But cheating is cheating and I just don't think it's fair for her to just copy my work.

Tell the classmate that it would be academic dishonesty, and that is something that you don't do.

Specializes in Transplant & HPB Surgery, Heme/Onc, LTC.

Although it's uncomfortable to respond to these types of things, being direct is the best way to get the point across and establish boundaries with your classmate. Tell her, "Sharing work could get us both in trouble, and I'm not willing to do that." If she tries to make you feel bad simply say, "I'm sorry for your situation. If you need help, you should talk to the professor." Or, if you are willing to help, and it's not against the policies, you could offer to proof read a draft and provide her with feedback.

Just tell her plain and simple that you can't cheat. You don't want to jeopardize you being a student getting kicked out of the nursing program. Don't you think you're a little too old to not speak up for yourself. Just say no... her issues seem personal and can be solved but there is no excuse for cheating. I used to hate when i was in school and this girl wouldn't come to class so she just thought she could cheat on tests from me. UMMMM sorry we aren't friends. Its a one man's world, and she needs to be responsible for herself.....

You shouldn't let someone free load off of you, not matter what the circumstances are. Just politely decline and say you aren't comfortable doing that! If you are willing and able to offer her help you could consider that?? Sounds like she is going through a tough time. She should ask her professor for an extension because of the difficult circumstances..

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

I would just upright tell her you are not comfortable giving your homework to someone else. If she is dealing with a death, she should talk to the professor, they will usually be lenient and give some extra time for things like that.

Specializes in kids.

I would recommend she talk to her advisor if she needs an extension....it will only have one outcome and it wont be good for you because if it happens once, she will continue to ask and you are doing her no favors because she is NOT doing the work that needs to be done in order for HER to learn. Besides the fact that it is unethical!

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I am in a Lpn to Rn program that I'd pretty fast paced, each semester is 10 weeks long. Anywho, I finished my care plan which took me 2 days to do and handed it in in time. One of my classmate just asked me if she can have my care plan when the teacher gives it back to me. Evidently to copy from it. I'm very upset as it took a lot of time and effort for me to complete for my classmate to just have it handed on her lap. I don't want to be mean but how can I gracefully say no? I dodged around her question and said "if she even gives it back." I feel bad with her issues, a family member of hers just died and she is planning the funeral. But cheating is cheating and I just don't think it's fair for her to just copy my work.

You could say "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I'll be glad to help you if you want."

Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

In a situation like I don't think there is a need to be nice or tactful. Ok maybe tactful but firm. It's not ok for her to even ask and it's best she know now it's not acceptable behavior otherwise when she graduates she'll do similar things that effect patient care like copying vital signs and assessment information. (I've seen this.) Also it would give the faculty a false impression of her skill level so when she does one of her own it might not be of the same standard and they would be sympathetic to helping her since she's "proved" she can produce quality work.

I'm a little more direct. I would be "Yes I know thats what you'd like me to do but that's not going to happen."

I agree with the helpful approach if you do indeed feel like helping. Why don't you ask her to show you what she's got and let you know where she's stuck, and then you could quickly nudge her in the right direction on how to find the answers (but don't give the answers yourself). But even helping like that is not required. Only do what you feel like doing.

How close are you to this person? If you can say we are school friends then you should not have a problem of saying no. If you are friends even out side of school, then you should have no problem telling her you can help her or give pointers on how to complete the care plan.

I also had major issues during my LVN-RN program and not once did I ask someone else if I could copy their work. If I knew that someone was doing great in the class I asked them how they approached the assignment. That way not only was that person helping me understand what needed to be done, they were also reinforcing what they learned.

I'm sorry to hear about the death in her family but you have to rule with your mind.

Integrity starts early in your nursing career (nursing school). How you handle this situation will help to shape how you will handle situations on the floor once you are an RN.

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

unquestionably, it would be considered plagiarism on her part and you would be an accomplice in the eyes of your instructor. having said that, i totally agree with the idea of offering your help without compromising your grades :cool:

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