Students cheating on tests....

[dreamer2011]

I am having an ethical dilemma. There are several students in our class that have most of the answers for every test. Just about everyone in the class is now aware of this and think it is unfair. Noone wants to bring it to light because they don't want the teacher to make it hard on everyone for what time is left in the program. I keep telling myself that it will get them in the end, when they can't pass the HESI or the boards. But the truth is, about half of them will pass it with no problem. They may all pass. What irritates me is that some have gone from C students to A students, one very well could end up valedictorian, they cheat and then brag about their grades to everyone, spend all weekend with their families doing fun stuff (not studying) while i'm busting my tail to do it the right way! So, what would you do?

[Hygiene Queen]

By all means... let them go.

Let nature take its course.

Either they'll get busted or the fact that they really don't know anything will bite them in the butt.

I agree it's frustrating, but just think: Your pride on graduation day will be hard earned and wholly satisfactory. Their joy (if they make it to graduation) will be hollow because they did not really earn it.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Im grabbing my popcorn. These cheating threads are always epic.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'm also getting some popcorn -- but I'll also weigh in.

I'd report the activity (anonomously, if necessary). At least alert the faculty of the problem. It's wrong and some patient could get seriously hurt if an incompetent or unethical student is allowed to cheat themselves through nursing school.

For the students who know about it, consider it a test of your moral backbone / professional ethics. If you don't report it, you are failing the test.

Many schools consider those who know about cheating but don't report it as being just as guilty as the cheaters. I agree with that philosophy.

[BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN]

How are they getting all the answers?

[MrSpock]

I would tell on them, in our program if you know that someone is cheating and you dont say anything and they get caught both of you get kicked from the program. The pervious class ABSN class kicked 15 people from the program and not everyone was cheating.

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

That Guy: I agree they are always long and controversal. See this one everyone will figth why she should turn them in and then not too long ago there was one where the op's "friend" got kicked out for being caught cheating and everyone fought about why she should have been forgiven and a second chance..

[dreamer2011]

They have access to notes that have what the answers were on tests from the previous year

[Moogie]

Many schools consider those who know about cheating but don't report it as being just as guilty as the cheaters. I agree with that philosophy.

I once turned someone in for plagiarism on a group project. I agonized about doing it because I knew the honor code at my school and knew she could face dire consequences. The instructor agreed with me that the student plagiarized material, thanked me for letting her know, acknowledged that it was the right thing to do, and said she would handle it.

The student passed and showed up in a couple of my classes the next semester.

I agree with llg and MrSpock that the person who doesn't report cheaters is as culpable as they are. But what is a student supposed to do when the faculty doesn't care?

BTW, MrSpock, I really love your user name! Live long and prosper!

[dreamer2011]

That's what I'm running into. The instructor has made the statement throughout the school year that "you can cheat if you want to, but it will get you in the end", which leads me to believe she would not be willing to do anything about it.....im so perplexed.

[AgentBeast, BSN, RN]

[Moogie]

They have access to notes that have what the answers were on tests from the previous year

In this case, I blame the instructors. Writing test questions is difficult but using the same test questions year after year is pretty sloppy. The practice encourages cheating. I worked with an instructor who did this and she didn't see that this would encourage cheating. Sorry, but that thinking is very naive. Students in her class were divided into two groups because of a lack of computers for everyone to test at the same time. Students were told not to share test questions or answers but the halls were buzzing with conversation when the first group was done.

Many instructors use test banks that may be provided by the textbook companies. Unfortunately, test banks can fall into the wrong hands and students use them to cheat.

I'm really not a fan of high-stakes testing being the only determinant of a grade. I think if a student is doing well in exams but can't articulate ideas on paper, maybe he/she is cheating. (Then again, the student who cheats on an exam will plagiarize a paper...)

Dreamer2011, please don't let the lack of integrity of some of your peers get you down. I know it's very discouraging but just keep on doing your best. I am so sorry this is happening in your class.

ETA: I hear you about the instructors not wanting to do anything. Some instructors are so afraid that students will sue them if they discipline them for academic dishonesty that they will turn a blind eye to anything. Others are naive and still others---who knows?