Academic Dishonesty in Nursing Education

1. Academic Dishonesty in Nursing Education Tonia Grant, MSN,RN Winston-Salem State University Leadership For Excellence Conference VI June 13-14, 2014

2. What is Academic Dishonesty? • It is any type of cheating on any formal academic exercise such as: • Exams • Writing assignments • Class assignments • Computer assignments

3. How does academic dishonesty affect Nursing? • The integrity of the nursing program is compromised • Violation in the Code of Ethics, ethical and integrity • High attrition rates • Low NCLEX pass rates

4. How does academic dishonesty affect faculty? • Faculty –students relationship • Damages the trust placed on students • A burden on the faculty to confront and report students • The relationship with students is damaged • Legal ramifications • Fear the student will retaliate • Faculty –faculty relationship • Not always positive during the investigation • Not always supportive • Faculty –administration relationship • Negative impact on student retention (revenue) • Legal difficulties for the institution

5. How does academic dishonesty affect students? Short-term effects Long-term effects • Poor outcomes- • Failing to progress in the program • Patient safety • Poor clinical performance • Public and patient safety • Passing boards • Failure to identify clinical manifestations to accurately treat • Inability to perform appropriate nursing interventions

6. What about clinical responsibilities? • Clinical instructors relying on the students to be honest and trust worthy • Patient safety-do the student fully understands the disease process ? • If unethical behavior happens in the classroom why not in the clinical setting?

7. Technology • The use of smartphones • The use of smart pens • MP3 players/iPods • The internet- • Google • Cutting and pasting information

8. What are some methods to alleviate academic dishonesty? • Explain to students what is expected of them and set the standard for them • Read their handbook on academic integrity and go over it with them • Teach them how to write APA style to avoid plagiarism • Explain all assignments given to students • Let the student know whether or not if it is a group assignment • Do not assume they know what you want • Turn off cellphones, and put away all electronic devices

10. References • Arhin, A.O., & Jones, K.A. (2009). A multidiscipline exploration of college students’ perceptions of academic dishonesty: Are nursing students different from other college students? Nurse Education Today, 29, p.710-714, doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2009.03.001 • Fontana, J. S (April 2009). Nursing faculty experiences of students’ academic dishonesty. Journal of Nursing Education,48 (4),p 181-185

11. Thank You! • Any Questions???