first of I would like to say that I love allnurses.com. This community is very supportive and I am glad to be a part of it. My situation is I am a junior in the nursing program. Suppose to be a senior next year. I am not going back. I knew people were cheating in one of the classes. I hear the students talking about it. I mentioned to the director that some students had an unfair advantage because they were getting information from the upper class. One would think she would check e mails some how. I am sure she would see the info being passed. Then when I got home the other day I found a test and 33 pages of all the material we did in community this semester and a copy of one of the tests that we took. Our final is Wed. 5 / 12 / 11 at noon. I can't even bring myself to study for the final because I am so upset. Should I bring this to the schools attention? Should I give them the test and the homework for the year. Should I bother taking the exam. I already dropped my nursing for next semester and am finishing my four psych classes. I am so.... with the program. My school is also upset because they had a 70% pass rate and are in danger of losing their creditation. Well I know why. I watched people cheat all through the program. If I can see it then why do teachers turn a blind eye? They say they do not permit cheating and yet they never do anything about it when people get caught doing it. more so why does it bother me so much? Maybe I should just let it go and not say a word. I have had enough. apparently I am not smart enough to cheat.
As always thanks for listening. It is ten minutes until three. I should try and get some sleep.
I am confused as to what we consider cheating. I make my own study guides (using notes, book reading and Google) and share them with my classmates. I originally shared with a few but eventually everyone asked for them so they are shared with the entire class. Notes from upperclassmen seem fair game to me. Previous years tests (not current ones) are questionable, but also fair game in my opinion. If the instructors don't bother to change their tests, that is a problem.
I am not supporting plagerism or cheating, just questioning what is actually cheating and what is just sour grapes over a lack of connections.
We do not get access to our tests other than a quick test review post exam where no writing or phones are allowed. This is just to allow you to review the rationales. So we have no access to previous exams.
Also to add, if these people do not do any studying of their own and rely solely on cheating, this will be reflected on their NCLEX exam or even the school's exit exam if they have one.
Previous years tests (not current ones) are questionable, but also fair game in my opinion. If the instructors don't bother to change their tests, that is a problem.
This is hearsay, but what I was told is that when the NLN accredits (or reaccredits) a school they look at old exams. One way in which the NLN validates the legitimacy of the courses is that the same exam questions are used year to year. Therefore it is more than just the instructors "not bothering" to change the questions. Where I went to school, copies of the exam never left the nursing office (except of course to actualy administer the exam ). The definitely removes it from the "fair game" category.
I do not see where the actions of other students is reason for you to quit nursing school.
Agreed!
I am so confused! Why would you not take your final and drop out of your nursing program b/c someone else is cheating??? :confused:
I applaud your ethnics, but seriously, I just don't get why you care so much what the others are doing.
In the end, they are the ones screwing themselves over b/c they will be unprepared to pass the state boards.
Also, there will be times when a nurse you work with does something that is unfair and maybe even unethical. Are you going to quit your job because the higher ups at your place of employment ignore the situation and/or don't fire her?
Notes from upperclassmen seem fair game to me. Previous years tests (not current ones) are questionable, but also fair game in my opinion. If the instructors don't bother to change their tests, that is a problem.
I am not supporting plagerism or cheating, just questioning what is actually cheating and what is just sour grapes over a lack of connections.
Would you be comfortable if your instructors knew that you were using notes and test questions leaked from upperclassmen? I'm guessing not; when I was in school, this was considered an unfair advantage and unethical; both the under and upperclass students involved would be excused from the program. They believed, and I do as well, that you should be able to pass on your own without being tipped off to topics, questions or rationales. JMO.
OP, the cheating might make you sick but unfortunately this won't be the last time you come across unethical folks who still seem to pass or get ahead. I worked in finance for ten years before going to nursing school; I went from small firm to large brokerage house to niche market work and consulting trying to find a way to conduct business the right way. When I became a nurse, I found much of the same nonsense; it is worse, perhaps, because these are people who are charged with the welfare of others yet cannot be bothered to do the right thing.
My point: you can't change the fact that others will always try to cut corners. You'll witness some truly appalling behavior throughout your life no matter what industry you decide to join. You have to worry about yourself, and be confident in what YOU do everyday. I wouldn't suggest you quit school if nursing is what you want to do; rather, I suggest that you take your test, pass on your own merit, go on and finish the program. Get out, get your job, and move on...
or you'll really be failing yourself, you know? Good luck.
I am confused as to what we consider cheating. I make my own study guides (using notes, book reading and Google) and share them with my classmates. I originally shared with a few but eventually everyone asked for them so they are shared with the entire class. Notes from upperclassmen seem fair game to me. Previous years tests (not current ones) are questionable, but also fair game in my opinion. If the instructors don't bother to change their tests, that is a problem.
I am not supporting plagiarism or cheating, just questioning what is actually cheating and what is just sour grapes over a lack of connections.
We do not get access to our tests other than a quick test review post exam where no writing or phones are allowed. This is just to allow you to review the rationales. So we have no access to previous exams.
Also to add, if these people do not do any studying of their own and rely solely on cheating, this will be reflected on their NCLEX exam or even the school's exit exam if they have one.
I never had sour grapes due to lack of connections. Nor was I ever in any danger of failing ANY test throughout nursing school.
The reason I knew this study group had an unfair advantage over some of the poor students who actually WERE in danger of flunking out was BECAUSE of my connections. Anytime I asked insider friends for some of the questions that would be on the exam my connection was able to give me several questions that would be on the upcoming test verbatim.
The questions were ALWAYS the type that many would miss without the insider tip off because two of the possible answers would be VERY close. I knew that some in my graduating class were very close to failing out of school and that inside info on the exact test questions would be of great help to them.
I never called anyone "a cheater." But I did DIRECTLY confront the valedictorian and students in that study group twice to voice my personal opinion.--(That I felt it wasn't fair that a select group had an advantage of knowing several of the harder questions in advance while others in our class without inside info were in danger of failing.)
When I left the note to inform the instructor I knew it would be obvious that I was the one who had brought the situation to her attention. My hope was that the instructor would use other exam questions to sort of even the field for the people who were in danger of failing and had no connections.
The instructor must as felt as I did because she mentioned it to the student in question. No one was called a cheater and no one was punished in any way. In fact the instructors still used the same recycled batch of questions and I'm sure this one study group continued to pass on these questions to their friends.
The worst part that I didn't mention is that the valedictorian made an impromptu announcement in front of the class saying that I had accused her and her friends of cheating. That was uncalled for because she knew I never accused ANYONE of cheating. I only made the instructor aware of the situation so that the borderline students wouldn't be disadvantaged by not knowing the specific harder questions on each exam. (Our grading was done on a curve.)
Long story short is it's not all about grades as long as you are passing by a healthy margin you'll be fine in practice. I'll never forget the first day of clinical when the class valedictorian gave her first SQ. She injected then blew air on the lady's arm to dry the alcohol just prior to injecting! Sheesh. Just shows you...She knew how to make great grades and graduated with a perfect 4.0 but she was lacking in her actual practice skills.
The reason I knew this study group had an unfair advantage over some of the poor students who actually WERE in danger of flunking out was BECAUSE of my connections. Anytime I asked insider friends for some of the questions that would be on the exam my connection was able to give me several questions that would be on the upcoming test verbatim.
So, you're upset that people were cheating - on behalf of others, not yourself - but took answers for yourself throughout the semester? Ugh, I'm not sure you have an ethical leg to stand on. Maybe this is why instructors ignore the cheating drama - because most of the folks are involved in one way or another?
There was a lot of cheating in my LPN program. Several of us even went to one of the instructors and told him what was going on. One student use to turn in the test, leave the class, come back to the classroom near the end of the exam, take the test back and change answers. The instructor kind of shrugged and nothing was ever done about it.
So, you're upset that people were cheating - on behalf of others, not yourself - but took answers for yourself throughout the semester? Ugh, I'm not sure you have an ethical leg to stand on. Maybe this is why instructors ignore the cheating drama - because most of the folks are involved in one way or another?
Read again and don't try to twist my words this time. I did NOT take questions and use them "throughout" school. I was upset as I knew it was hurting some students who were not passing. As soon as I saw the pattern I confront the study group on two separate occasions. Again if you would read I NEVER used the word cheating nor did I call anyone a cheater.
Read again and don't try to twist my words this time. I did NOT take questions and use them "throughout" school. I was upset as I knew it was hurting some students who were not passing. As soon as I saw the pattern I confront the study group on two separate occasions. Again if you would read I NEVER used the word cheating nor did I call anyone a cheater.
No need to bold words and get upset. I used the word cheating, not you, because that's what it is. You wrote that your insider source gave you questions and answers to those questions from the tests verbatim; IMO, this is cheating. You did comment that if other students struggling in the program knew the answers to those questions (as you did) that this would be a big help to them. Again, unfair advantage. Agree to disagree, perhaps, but it doesn't sound ethical to me at all, and obviously not to you either, as you decided to confront the others.
No need to bold words and get upset. I used the word cheating, not you, because that's what it is. You wrote that your insider source gave you questions and answers to those questions from the tests verbatim; IMO, this is cheating. You did comment that if other students struggling in the program knew the answers to those questions (as you did) that this would be a big help to them. Again, unfair advantage. Agree to disagree, perhaps, but it doesn't sound ethical to me at all, and obviously not to you either, as you decided to confront the others.
I'm not upset. And many use bold on forums to make a quick point of what they are stressing. I guess I didn't give enough detail b/c I don't have much time to post on forums. I'll take time out here to give more detail this one time b/c you seem interested.
Most times my close friends and I would hear of the questions that the students knew about AFTER the test. I was not the only one who felt it was unfair to the students who who were in danger of flunking out. (Someone I felt empathy for was in danger of flunking out for a second semester...I'm sure advanced knowledge of verbatim difficult questions would have helped her pass.)
I never felt nor said that the students cheated. It was very tacky for the valedictorian to stand in front of the class and state that I had accused her of cheating as that never happened. As soon as I saw the pattern and realized I wasn't the only one who felt it wasn't fair I confronted my fellow student with my opinion directly .twice...(As I stated often I'd heard about it after the test.)
The instructor didn't write new questions for the rest of the year but I was impressed that she cared enough to bring my concerns up to the student who was feeding test questions to his study group. Again I was never in need of any extra help as my grades were high. I graduated third in the class. Proof of the fact I needed no extra help is in the fact that I confronted the students and told them I felt it was unfair to some borderline students in the class. I could have stayed silent and used the insider info to boost my scores.
I am studying in Italy, and here cheating is something of an art form!!! Every year, as the high school finals approach, the tabloid magazines are full of tips for students on how to cheat.
I come from a different culture, and to me cheating just doesn't come into my way of operating or looking at the world. I recently sat an exam for my nursing course, and there were so many of us in the exam that we were practically sitting on each others' laps... And boy did the other students lap it up!!! There were more cheat sheets than exams papers in that room...
I've sat four exams so far, and been passed cheat sheets by others in two of them. Afterwards I told them never to do that to me again. Because I'm not interested in cheating. I got a reasonable mark in the first exam, a pretty bad one in the second. But it was enough to get me through. And I know it was all my own work.
To me, those who cheat are just shooting themselves in the foot. How are they going to function in the real world, when cheating is no longer an option??
If others are cheating... so what???!!! Concentrate on your own performance, and forget about them. They don't matter. You do. Be true to yourself, and you won't go wrong. ((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))
). The definitely removes it from the "fair game" category.
:confused: 
LuckyinKY
229 Posts
I am confused as to what we consider cheating. I make my own study guides (using notes, book reading and Google) and share them with my classmates. I originally shared with a few but eventually everyone asked for them so they are shared with the entire class. Notes from upperclassmen seem fair game to me. Previous years tests (not current ones) are questionable, but also fair game in my opinion. If the instructors don't bother to change their tests, that is a problem.
I am not supporting plagerism or cheating, just questioning what is actually cheating and what is just sour grapes over a lack of connections.
We do not get access to our tests other than a quick test review post exam where no writing or phones are allowed. This is just to allow you to review the rationales. So we have no access to previous exams.
Also to add, if these people do not do any studying of their own and rely solely on cheating, this will be reflected on their NCLEX exam or even the school's exit exam if they have one.