Students cheating on tests....

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2011

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?

You keep your mouth SHUT.

You know why? Because you don't have an ethical dilemma, what you have is a bunch of sour grapes students that are jealous because some are doing extremely well while they are struggling.

NOWHERE in your post, did you mention that you and WITNESSED WTIH YOUR OWN EYES cheating.

Nowhere.

This is Step 1 in integrity...if you are the type of student that would report someone for cheating when you did not witness it, then you would be the type of nurse that would report someone for diverting drugs when you didn't even witness the event.

You never, EVER report ANYONE for anything on RUMOR.

dreamer2011 · Jun 28, 2011

To Babylady, yes, I have witnessed their cheating. And I'm not jealous, because I do my own work and still make good grades.

The information they are using is not "notes". It comes from last years tests, where a previous student wrote down what the answers were for each question. Tests have not been changed...

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2011

I know a girl that cheated her way through nursing school and couldn't even pass NCLEX, its's been about 4 years and after many tries still doesn't have her license. See the same thing happened someone had gotten previous test from years prior, the teachers never changed the test. It was discovered what happened but it was after graduation. Ok who was gonna return thier degree and say I cheated? Everyone passed NCLEX except the one's that were suspected of cheating. To say all that I would tell you to report them but do it anonomously, so you are not in any way setting your self up to be linked and expelled with the cheaters.

Fancy84 · Jun 28, 2011

To Babylady, yes, I have witnessed their cheating. And I'm not jealous, because I do my own work and still make good grades.
The information they are using is not "notes". It comes from last years tests, where a previous student wrote down what the answers were for each question. Tests have not been changed...

Disclaimer: I do not condone cheating

Not to knock you but the statement about the notes doesn't make for much argument. If the teacher asks you to prove that they cheated, can you provide concrete evidence that they cheated? The students can always claim that the information they have is additional studying resource obtained from previous students...even challenge you on undermining their efforts in achieving high academic excellence...i can go on. Unless you have concrete evidence not hearsay or what you saw, then you have an argument to make

I understand how you feel but at the same time, you don't want to put yourself in a situation you cannot get out of because it is your word against theirs.

Even if the tests are proctored, they have already memorized the answers and they will still come out with an "A"

ddunnrn · Jun 28, 2011

I have not read all of the responses, so forgive me if I duplicate.

Get used to it now, because you are going to face this issue in your nursing practice. By most nursing standards, if you do not report others' problematic behavior, your license is also in jeopardy.

Unfortunately, since reporting errors usually ends in some form of discipline, rather than education or rehabilitation, many nurses just hide the problem and hope it goes away. Who wants to lose their job because the technically broke some rule or standard?

The other thing I have observed over the years, is the "shoot the messenger" syndrome--many times management retaliates against the person who brought the problem to their attention, so do you risk management's wrath, or try to correct a problem?? It has happened to me more times than I can count, so many that I think some management use it as a "tool" to discourage people from making waves.

laughoutloud8 · Jun 29, 2011

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

OMG this is lame on your part. So what answers to previous test questions and others notes. I guess these answers are based on the last people who remembered a few test questions word for word. Seriously how accurate can that really be? If these people really remember stuff word from word which would be amazing and the questions are the same who is really to blame here. Sounds like your getting cheated with your education from having lazy teachers.

Cheating IMO is gaining access to the actually test before u take it or cheating during the actually test. Nothing outside that and I mean NOTHING outside that is cheating.

Let me ask you something would you not use the notes or test questions for study material had they been available to you?

Blame the people making the test not the students who are using there resources available to them. Let this be a life lesson its not about what you u know but who u know. it gets u in the door and moving on up quicker than what u know :twocents:

dreamer2011 · Jun 29, 2011

OMG you so misinterpreted what I said! Let me break it down for you. A student in the program last year, at the end of every test, wrote down the answers to that test, then passed it down to a student in the program this year. The tests have not changed, therefore it is the actual test.

And I did have access if I wanted it, but I am not a cheater, and I refused.

dreamer2011 · Jun 29, 2011

And as bad as I hate to say it, it may be the case some places that it's who you know not what you know. But who you know will not last forever....

Sounds like you are a real winner.

laughoutloud8 · Jun 29, 2011

OMG you so misinterpreted what I said! Let me break it down for you. A student in the program last year, at the end of every test, wrote down the answers to that test, then passed it down to a student in the program this year. The tests have not changed, therefore it is the actual test.
And I did have access if I wanted it, but I am not a cheater, and I refused.

I got what u huff and puffed about the first time. How did this person write down every question I mean really was the teacher in on it too? Who can write down every test question from each test? Give us the answer to that.

dreamer2011 · Jun 29, 2011

I'm not going to go into the whole process, but trust me it was done.

And by the way you sound like you are going to be very good at therapeutic communication :lol2:

laughoutloud8 · Jun 29, 2011

And as bad as I hate to say it, it may be the case some places that it's who you know not what you know. But who you know will not last forever....
Sounds like you are a real winner.

U must be young. Not sure if you have ever had a full time job in the real world but I have and I know its about who you know gets you moving. Sadly the people who actually know stuff get overlooked for promotions. I guess when u get to that point in your life you will understand what I am talking about.

laughoutloud8 · Jun 29, 2011

I'm not going to go into the whole process, but trust me it was done.
And by the way you sound like you are going to be very good at therapeutic communication

I think you want to be one of those students who does good and likes for no one else to to well. Growing up takes time. Reality is harsh and I am glad I could provide a dose of it for you tonight.