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As a professional nursing student, understanding plagiarism and academic integrity is essential for success. This essay will explore three topics to demonstrate the importance of these concepts for nursing students: understanding the consequences of plagiarism in nursing, the value of academic integrity in nursing education, and developing professional ethics for nursing students.

Plagiarism is a serious offence in the academic community, especially in nursing. A Smedley, T Crawford and L Cloete (2015) noted in their publication, Nurse Education in Practice, that plagiarism not only affects the individual, but also the profession of nursing. It can lead to the loss of credibility and trust, as well as tarnishing the reputation of the profession. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty that can have serious consequences, including the loss of one’s nursing license or expulsion from a nursing program. Individuals must be aware of the consequences of plagiarism in order to ensure they are not engaging in unethical practices. It is important to understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Plagiarism is the representation of another person’s work as one’s own. This includes direct quotes, paraphrases, ideas and images taken from another source without proper citation. In order to avoid plagiarism, individuals must properly cite any source material used in their work. Referencing any borrowed material is the only way to avoid plagiarism. It is important for students and practitioners alike to be aware of the consequences of plagiarism in nursing and to take the necessary steps to ensure they are not engaging in plagiarism.

In their 2012 article, CJ Theart and I Smit discuss the importance of academic integrity in nursing education. They note that academic integrity is critical for nursing education as it allows for the development of professional values and instills the ethical basis for professional practice. Furthermore, they emphasize that academic integrity provides a platform for self-evaluation and encourages continuous learning for the nurse. The authors explain that it is through academic integrity that the nurse can gain the confidence to make autonomous clinical decisions. By demonstrating academic integrity, the nurse demonstrates to their peers and educators that they are reliable, accountable and committed to the standards of the profession. In addition, Theart and Smit emphasize that academic integrity provides the nurse with the necessary knowledge to practice with safety and efficiency, while maintaining their ethical responsibilities to the patient. Overall, their article highlights the importance of academic integrity in nursing education, as it serves as a foundation for the nurse to develop their professional values and practice safely and ethically.

Nursing ethics has become an increasingly important topic of discussion in recent years, as the profession of nursing has grown in complexity and scope. A Dehghani (2020) emphasizes the importance of teaching nursing students the professional ethics that are essential for their work. Dehghani states that teaching professional ethics is “a key goal of the nursing profession”, highlighting the need for nursing students to learn and understand ethical principles. Dehghani advocates for “teaching approaches that foster critical ethical thinking”, arguing that this is the most effective way to ensure that nursing students develop and maintain professional ethics. He also suggests that “traditional teaching approaches”, such as lectures and case studies, should be supplemented with interactive teaching methods that encourage students to engage with ethical issues. This could include activities such as role-playing, debates and simulations. Through this approach, Dehghani argues that nursing students can develop a deeper understanding of ethical principles, enabling them to make informed decisions in their future practice. Ultimately, the development of professional ethics for nursing students is essential for the ongoing growth of the profession, and Dehghani’s work provides a valuable insight into how this can be achieved.

Understanding plagiarism and academic integrity are essential for any nursing student. Good academic practice gives students the framework necessary to make ethical decisions from the very start of their educational journey, and it is important to remember that these principles will remain with the student throughout the entirety of their nursing career. Maintaining good academic conduct is essential for a professional nursing student to demonstrate their commitment and knowledge of ethical values, which will ultimately contribute to their success in the profession.

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