Why Do Nursing Students Plagiarize?

Why Do Nursing Students Plagiarize?

The figure is a student who looks stressed out while reading a textbook, while in the background the words "Projects," "Work," "Essays," and "Finals" represent her concerns.Studies have found that plagiarism among nursing students is usually the result of their unfamiliarity with writing and the pressure they feel to get work completed while balancing a full plate of responsibilities (Morgan & Hart, 2013). Research has discovered that up to “94% of nursing students have seen another student cheat,” (LaDuke, 2013, p. 402). Other studies have indicated a connection to online programs and the lack of face-to-face interaction as a direct factor in upholding academic integrity (Morgan & Hart, 2013). Also, the amount of work expected within the nursing program is staggering; one study indicated that, “in nursing, there is a higher proportion of essay material required for students to produce than in other types of healthcare courses,” (de Souza, 2016, p. 19). Most RN-BSN students continue to work full time, attend classes, and balance a full family/home life, which can lead to an elevated level of anxiety that could then lead to unethical academic behavior (Hidle, 2014). These elements all contribute to the rise of unethical student behaviors in nursing education.Providing Quality Nursing Care Essay

Paraphrasing
One of the most significant contributors to plagiarism is the ineffective use of references and paraphrasing (Hunker, et al., 2014). Merriam Webster defines paraphrasing as, “a restatement of a text, passage, or work giving the meaning in another form” (Paraphrase, n.d.). Paraphrasing is putting something found within a source into one’s own words versus directly quoting the work. While the use of paraphrasing may seem straightforward, it has become apparent that its misuse can be a big contributor to plagiarism (Rogerson & McCarthy, 2017).Providing Quality Nursing Care Essay

Paraphrasing is a useful skill and can beautifully convey the writer’s understanding of a topic; however, changing a few words or using synonyms and expecting the result to be considered paraphrasing is insufficient. Proper paraphrasing involves synthesizing the given material and being able to reiterate in a way that exemplifies its meaning as well as giving credit to the original author with proper citation. Summarization is similar, requiring proper credit to the original work’s author but may reflect a more basic overview of the material (Eberle, 2013).Providing Quality Nursing Care Essay

Table 1.2
Poor vs. Correct Paraphrasing
Original Quote

“New tracks aside, the challenge is at the bare minimum to bring light and air into this underground purgatory and, beyond that, to create for millions of people a new space worthy of New York, a civic hub in the spirit of the great demolished one, more attuned to the city’s aspirations and democratic ideals” (Kimmelman, 2012, para. 10).

Poor Paraphrase

Besides replacing the railroad tracks, the toughest part is to at least bring air and light to Penn Station. Millions of people in New York are deserving of a new civic hub, constructed in the same essence of the one that was leveled so many years ago. Moving forward with such a development ties in with the city’s enthusiasm for beauty and architecture Providing Quality Nursing Care Essay

Effective Paraphrase

One of the biggest issues facing Penn Station’s revitalization is developing a brighter, airier space. It is an abysmal “underground purgatory,” (Kimmelman, 2012, para. 10) and with so many New Yorkers and tourists traveling in and out of its doors every day, it should be reconstructed to better reflect the endeavors and passions of the city.

Note. Adapted from “An Example of an Effective Paraphrase” and “An Example of a Poor Paraphrase” by EasyBib. Copyright EasyBib.Providing Quality Nursing Care Essay
Students should also take caution when searching the Internet for tools or websites that may help develop paraphrasing material. The explosion of technological advancements and ease of access to these types of programs has made the opportunity for cheating or plagiarizing more appealing to students (Rogerson & McCarthy, 2017). Often these types of sources lead to plagiarizing and high similarity scores when papers are submitted to plagiarism prevention software such as Turnitin (Price, 2014). The best practice is for students to comprehend fully what scholarly writing involves and work to master the skill of writing scholarly papers, including accurately paraphrasing and avoiding plagiarism of material (Hunker et al., 2014). Avoiding plagiarism begins with understanding what it is, the consequences of the of