Academic Dishonesty: What Does Cheating Say About Our Future Nurses?

[OldSquidNewNurse]

Marilyn W. Edmunds, PhD, CRNP; Laurie E. Scudder, MS, NP


Published: 06/25/2009

Academic Dishonesty: What Does Cheating Say About Our Future Nurses?
Faucher D, Caves S
Teaching and Learning in Nursing. 2009;4:37-41

Article Summary
Academic dishonesty is anything that involves the intentional participation in deceptive practices in regards to one's own work or the work of others. Previous surveys of students in nursing programs report that between 75% and 90% of them have engaged in some dishonest acts during their program. A change in basic ideas about what is honest, what is necessary to succeed, and perhaps a general weakening of character may account for these large percentages. Competition, risk-taking, and an intense desire to succeed all contribute to the problems associated with cheating in schools.

According to the current article, students use 3 main ways of cheating: (1) using both low- and high-level innovative cheating techniques when taking examinations, writing papers, during group work, or during clinical practice; (2) taking, giving, and receiving forbidden material or information; and (3) circumventing the process of assessment. This article gives examples of each of these types of cheating, with a focus on use of cell phones, recorders, iPods®, ultraviolet pens, and other devices that are conducive to innovative cheating. Some of the cheating is also facilitated by teachers whose actions actually make it difficult to be honest during an examination.

The article discusses how to prevent these problems by putting in writing and then teaching the specific ethical standards of conduct that will be required in the course and why these ethical standards should be followed. The authors maintain that faculty need to use certain deterrents to detect and prevent academic dishonesty. Common sense suggestions as well as concrete plans for neutralizing technology are described. The article suggests many strategies for creating an environment in which honesty is facilitated.

Academic integrity of the educational program will be maintained by using all resources available to develop effective policies and procedures. The faculty member as a role model is part of the process.

Viewpoint
The profession of nursing has enjoyed a prominent reputation in national surveys for generally being honest and having the trust of the public, and the reports of widespread dishonesty among nursing students may come as a surprise -- and a disappointment -- to many. This article does not focus at all on what to do when the student has been caught cheating, but instead focuses on prevention along a broad spectrum of action -- everything from structure of the furniture in the room and turning off wireless access to requiring multiple drafts of papers throughout the development of a project. The program administrators must make it clear that the faculty expect personal integrity and honesty from the students, and then administrators and faculty must do everything possible to help students act in accordance with these expectations.

Some countries are crippled by broad scale corruption that limits their full participation in the world society, but the United States has been prized for operating under the rule of law whereby its citizens basically try to follow the rules. Such a high level of dishonesty among students reflects an apathetic modern-day culture and the failure of parents to teach their children right from wrong. Our society as a whole will falter morally, and our profession will suffer from a loss of trust if we fail to reclaim the traditional values of integrity and honesty that led to our country's freedom and growth. If our students are permitted to behave dishonestly with impunity, how can we expect them as health professionals to value human life?

[cali510]

I spoke with a man at the Employment Development Department many years ago. He relayed to me that it was a well known fact that many people from overseas would cheat on the NCLEX by having ringers take the test for them. This was in the days of the paper and pencil test. I was a little naive at the time so it surprised me to hear him talk so openly about this subject. But after I had been on the job for some time and saw what some nurses do, it didn't surprise me that some would cheat to get their nursing license.

[nursinghumor]

Think we should go back to "oral" exams they you can answer the question, or you can't.

Of course that would never fly in our factory line, pump out graduates, society.

It is interesting to learn about the new ways student are incorporating cell phones, ipods and new technology.

Pretty soon, you'll need to surrender all electronics at the door before exams.

I don't think it is any different from other academic settings though. With the pressure to "excel" students in all disciplines are learning that they need to get the grades at any and all costs.

Think a societal change or two would be needed to solve the need for cheating countermeasures.

Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursefriendly.com, A National Nursing & Consumer Health Directory

[Happy Weaver]

Cheating needs to be really solve and addressed but more especially with nursing because patient's lives are at stake.