Nursing is predicated on integrity and honesty

[bggd3]

I am having a hard time trying to consolidate what has happened to our program in the past few weeks. A group of students were implicated in cheating on a test. The student hand book states that the students would receive a zero for the test. The director of the program upheld the policy, for which the students appealed to the college administration. The appeal was not successful and the students received a zero for the test and failed the course. Today the saga continues; the program director reversed her decision and handed out an independent study assignment and allowed the group to pass the course.

Here is where it is rubbing me raw; I am the president of the class and have worked very hard to bring our fledgling program into a positive light not only at the college level but also at the community level. For which I think we have been very successful at. What was the point of all of this effort if the program condones cheating? What about the student that did not pass the class and had to drop out of the program, shouldn't she be allowed to come back into the program? What about the integrity of the program and the college? What about the rest of the students that got a lower grade than the cheaters? What am I going to say at the pinning ceremony when I have to give a speech about our class?

I feel like I would like to step down as president of an organization that has little regard for integrity. I do not feel like I can give a rousing speech at our pinning ceremony, but do not know what to do. I know I will not make any rash decisions but needed to vent and get some advice.

Thank you

[Natingale, EdD, RN]

I hear ya. That would irk me too, I dont know how they would feel about discussing it, but I would ask for an explanation as long as it doesnt get you in any trouble.