Academic integrity in online examinations in a graduate nurse practitioner program: Student perceptions and lessons for nurse educators.

BACKGROUND: While nursing is repeatedly voted the most trusted profession, academic dishonesty is nearly as prevalent in nursing as it is in other disciplines and has been increasing for 30 years. The relationship between academic dishonesty in nursing programs and unethical behavior in clinical settings underscores the importance of exploring student perceptions of academic dishonesty. METHOD: This descriptive study used a survey methodology to examine graduate nursing students' perceptions of academic dishonesty (willingness to report cheating, exam cheating deterrents, and importance of academic integrity). RESULTS: The results showed that students would report cheating, felt current processes were overall sufficient to deter cheating, value academic integrity, and take their studies seriously. Significant findings included this was more representative of students earlier in their programs vs. those nearer to graduation who felt the current program processes may not be as effective. CONCLUSION: It is vital that graduate nursing faculty hold students accountable and enact processes that deter cheating. Furthermore, based on the survey results, the researchers incorporated one new best practice from the literature: a syllabus statement for online courses.

Development and Implementation of an Upper Respiratory Infection Treatment Protocol in a Primary Care Health Clinic.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute viral respiratory infections (ARTIs) are among the most common reasons for a healthcare encounter throughout the industrialized world. Among the approximately100 million antibiotic prescriptions written every year for ARTI, half are prescribed inappropriately. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for viral illnesses poses a serious threat since many organisms have become resistant to commonly used antibiotics. The aim of this study was to develop an ARTI treatment protocol in accordance with current practice guidelines to decrease the number of inappropriately prescribed antibiotics in a primary care health clinic. METHODS: Patient subjects were obtained using convenience sampling and data collection was completed using ICD queries in the clinic's EHR system. A retrospective chart review analyzing antibiotic prescribing practices was conducted pre- and post- implementation of an educational session detailing current ARTI practice guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this project showed clinical significance in that clinician education, focused on ARTI current practice guidelines and attentiveness in antibiotic prescription practices, reduced antibiotic use for viral ARTIs by 12.0%. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clinician education and implementation of current practice guidelines for ARTI will assist clinicians decrease both the unnecessary adverse effects of antibiotics, as well as the threat of antibiotic resistance.