Should I report wide-spread cheating in my class?

[malarwen]

I noticed that suddenly the grades in our OB and Peds classes improved drastically...and I also found out why. One of the students in my class got their hands on the test bank and distributed it among most of the students. I refuse to cheat and my grades are fine without it, but I feel hurt that other students are getting 100s on tests they did not study for (and yeah, i'm not getting 100s lol). What should I do? Should I ignore it and feel bad or should I be a snitch? Our class is small - only 14 students - we still have one semester to go and I would really hate to be hated by everyone because of bringing this issue up with the teacher or school. There are a few students like me who study really hard to make good grades. It just does not seem to be fair. And there is always the question - would I want a nurse who cheated on their exams to be taking care of my loved ones? The answer is no.....but I still don't know how to go about this...any advice?

[lrobinson5]

I would report it. They should know better! Also, this is supposed to prepare them for not only the licensure exam, but to care safely for patients. I'm sorry you're in this predicament, but I can only tell you what I would do. Good luck

[malarwen]

Thank you lrobinson5,

I just don't know how to go about it...should I talk to someone in person....or should I just send an anonymous email? I would really hate to be dragged into the drama that will sure start happening as soon as it's reported.

[caliotter3]

I would send an anonymous email or type up an anonymous statement, put it in a sealed envelope, and deliver it to the faculty office. But don't be surprised if nothing is done.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

.but I still don't know how to go about this...any advice?

Check your student handbook section on Academic Dishonesty, then do exactly as it prescribes.

[malarwen]

I sent an anonymous email with just a one line of text to the teacher...no pointing fingers at specific people....but I doubt anything will be done unless I send it to the director of the nursing program or the dean.

[NCRNMDM, ASN, RN]

Report it now! Cheating is morally and ethically wrong, but it also endangers patients that these students will potentially care for. You aren't cheating, and you are passing; clearly you have an understanding of the material and, after the class is over, you will be prepared to give entry level care to peds and OB patients. Your classmates who are cheating, however, aren't learning the material, and probably wouldn't be passing without the exam bank, and they will be unable to provide safe care for this patient population. If none of them want to work peds or OB when they graduate, then the cheating isn't quite as bad. It's still incredibly unfair, morally and ethically wrong, and the wrong attitude for anyone aspiring to be an RN, but if they don't want to practice in peds or OB after graduation, then not knowing the information won't endanger their potential patients. If, however, some of them think they are interested in either of these fields, then the cheating is particularly disturbing. In that case, the cheating is not only wrong, but it could lead to those students interested in peds and OB endangering their patients because they didn't learn the appropriate material while in nursing school. Either way, anyone with the desire to be a nurse should never cheat. If nursing students will cheat in the classes that are preparing them to care for patients, then what else will they do? If they think it's morally permissible to sneak a peek at the test bank items, and they have no problems sleeping at night after they cheat and make a 100 on a test, then how will they behave once they are taking care of patients? Will they think it okay to steal from patient's and their families? Will they have no issue violating HIPPA and patient privacy? Will they be lazy, sloppy, and ineffective nurses? Will they try to finger others when their poor choices and improper care gets them in trouble at work? It is unfair to you, unfair to the instructor, and unfair to potential patients. This kind of behavior cannot be tolerated, and should be reported immediately.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

There is such a thing as an honor code at most every school. People who KNOW about cheating going on and don't report it are just as irresponsible as the cheaters themselves. You know what you have to do.

[loveoutloud]

YES, i sure wouldn't want nurses that cheated looking after me

[anonymousstudent]

The answer here is simple, and you know what it is already. Don't do it anonymously. I LOVE anonymity. Love it. But not in this case. As an undergrad I was forced into a very similar situation. It was horrible. But you need people to know that YOU are not cheating. It's pretty darn easy to paint you with the same brush as the cheaters when a teacher gets a note that "many of the students" are cheating. Woman up! It will make you a better person.

[SaraStrong]

Hmmm...... I don't know. I'm not sure what I would do in your shoes. Hasn't the faculty noticed the drastic increase in grades? They should, especially in a class of only 14. If you choose to not say anything, don't let it weigh too heavily on your conscious because guess what? There are no cheat sheets when sitting for NCLEX!

[tarheelsu]

At my school if we are aware of cheating and we don't report it, we will be kicked out. You should go in person and speak to the director of your program.