Should I be expelled?

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I am a rn student. Before my final exam, I went through my books, cd, and notes and I made myself a study guide and I included test questions that I remembered from previous tests along with a whole lot of other info.. There was alot of test questions that I got wrong. I studied that weekend with a friend.I then asked my teacher if I could look at the previous tests to see why I answered those tests questions wrong. She said okay and said that the questions on the final would be different from the previous tests. She was in the room at all times while I was previewing the tests. I made myself a study guide based upon information.While in a study group, I shared my information along with everything else.We all remembered a lot of test questions and they wanted a copy of my notes b/c they were to the pont. I was called into the office and the director and teacher said that one of the students said that I copied down the test. This is not true b/c the teacher was in the room at all times. They said that my notes were in chronilogical order, this was plagerism, and I stated that it would make sense that they were b/c I took down notes from her study guides. They did not believe me and was going to expell me but insted they dropped my grade letter. They said if I do anything else at all, they were going to expel me. I'm I wrong b/c this is how students study. They remember what is on the test and use that for a reference. If I thought it was wrong, why would I pass out my study guide? Please let me know what I should do? Thank you.

I think the person who should be disciplined is the instructor that let you take notes while reviewing your previous exams. Why would she let you do that? If she allowed it, then you should be in the clear.

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

And once again the debate rages on about "helping" others when studying. This is a situation where all this student got was a bunch of hot water instead of gratitude.

At least from what's posted here, I don't see where blatant cheating took place. If the instructor was in the room while they were reviewing, it's unimaginable that anything untoward took place.

Again, at least from what's been posted. I can usually remember many of the topics, if not the exact question, that were on previous tests. I don't believe that's a sign of cheating; it's more than likely a reflection of the fact that I have good recollection which is why my grades are usually above average.

I'm sorry you're having this challenge. I will reiterate what others have said about exhausting all avenues possible before you let this go if you feel strongly that you were misunderstood.

I also would start studying alone or at least be choosy about your "friends".

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In my classes, as soon as we are finished with a test we turn it in and go out of the room. There are ALWAYS groups of students standing in the hallway or cafeteria discussing specific test questions - "What did you put for (fill in the blank...)". Students remember test questions especially the ones we look at repeatedly trying to eliminate possible wrong answers. My point is, unless your study guide contained questions that were word for word to the test questions, how can they accuse you of cheating?

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

We're allowed to take notes at test review. We can write the general concept of the question, but not the question word for word. Our instructors actually write many of the test questions, and we are allowed to challenge them in writing.

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Specializes in Tele, Dialysis, Med-Surg, ICU,GI.

I'm going to be very cynical and say you should make study guides and information for yourself and maybe a close friend, not for generally viewing, people take advantage and cause trouble. Especially if you are doing very well, and they are barely passing. However, what your school did was unfair, you were not cheating and they wanted to make an example of you as a warning to others. By the way did u find out who did this to you?

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This is something that has always bothered me about nursing school. Why can't I take my test home to study from it, and keep it as a reference? The test can be used as a learning tool as well, turn it back in with correct answers and rationale for 1/2 credit or some such. I know it takes time to write a new test for the next class, but isn't that part of teaching? ~ Diane

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The bottom line, whether you did it purposefully or not, is the fact that you shared test questions with other students. We sign an honesty policy before every single test we take in nursing school that we won't do this. I'm sure a similar policy is stated in your college's student handbook.

I agree with a previous poster: keep your notes to yourself. Your hard work really bit you this time. I'm glad you're still in the program - whew!

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You need to take that all the way to the top.

My study guides are in chronological order...so OF COURSE when you are reviewing your study guides it is going to "trigger" your memory--in chronological order.

An instructor was in the room with you...she needs to be taking up for you.

I would fight that all the way to the top including getting an attorney b/c if they put that on your college transcript, that can prevent you from getting a job.

It's THAT serious.

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This is something that has always bothered me about nursing school. Why can't I take my test home to study from it, and keep it as a reference? The test can be used as a learning tool as well, turn it back in with correct answers and rationale for 1/2 credit or some such. I know it takes time to write a new test for the next class, but isn't that part of teaching? ~ Diane

Most instructors don't write tests. They pull the questions from test banks and they have to agree not to allow students to take the tests home or take notes during reviews.

The question banks are supposed to be NCLEXish and supposedly well-tested for accuracy. (Very debatable in my opinion)

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.
This is something that has always bothered me about nursing school. Why can't I take my test home to study from it, and keep it as a reference? The test can be used as a learning tool as well, turn it back in with correct answers and rationale for 1/2 credit or some such. I know it takes time to write a new test for the next class, but isn't that part of teaching? ~ Diane

You're right, Diane - and many programs (including the one I used to attend) did just that. They handed you your test back for review/further study after you got your grade. If you don't have anything to refer back to for review, how can you understand and learn from your mistakes?? This is what you're going to school for, and you're being undermined by your instructors when they don't let you review your work.

Now as to the debate about sharing your notes, I'm siding with some on here that say this: DO for YOURSELF ONLY. The only one you are accountable to and for is yourself. Doing things for others can, and as we see in this case, will, get you in trouble.

This whole issue has been blown wayyy out of proportion by your instructors.

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I am currently in my second semester of my freshman year. last semester we were allowed to review all the tests before the final and take notes... not re-write the questions, but the general idea of it. we were allowed to sit with our previous tests sheets so we would knw what we got wrong. After this last test I went back into my notes with a red pen and circled everything I could remember being tested on, and even wrote some of the questions that i remembered down next to the area in my notes. I have no idea what will be on the final but found it to be a nice review of the material at this point...it forced me to look at my notes quickly after the test instead on waiting until before the final. We have a study group and I wonder if you feel that there would be anything wrong with me sharing my memory and notes with them.... as we always do, except this time I actually wrote (from memory) in my notes what the important points from the tests were. This has me concerned should I let my clinical instructor know that I did this so that I won't end up with similar accusations? I think its nice to be able to review and I thought that the concern was if we were selling the tests to future students. Last semester most of the questions were not from the last tests.

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I am currently in my second semester of my freshman year. last semester we were allowed to review all the tests before the final and take notes... not re-write the questions, but the general idea of it. we were allowed to sit with our previous tests sheets so we would knw what we got wrong. After this last test I went back into my notes with a red pen and circled everything I could remember being tested on, and even wrote some of the questions that i remembered down next to the area in my notes. I have no idea what will be on the final but found it to be a nice review of the material at this point...it forced me to look at my notes quickly after the test instead on waiting until before the final. We have a study group and I wonder if you feel that there would be anything wrong with me sharing my memory and notes with them.... as we always do, except this time I actually wrote (from memory) in my notes what the important points from the tests were. This has me concerned should I let my clinical instructor know that I did this so that I won't end up with similar accusations? I think its nice to be able to review and I thought that the concern was if we were selling the tests to future students. Last semester most of the questions were not from the last tests.

If you wrote test questions down - even if from memory - I wouldn't share it with anyone!

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