Nursing Student Perceptions of Academic and Clinical Integrity

AIM This study aimed to explore how nursing students define and describe academic and clinical integrity and to identify social and psychological influences on student decisions to act with integrity. BACKGROUD Nursing students are exhibiting a decline in academic and clinical integrity. Academic dishonesty often correlates to clinical dishonesty, subsequently impacting patient care quality and safety. Student perceptions and understanding of integrity are unknown. METHOD A qualitative descriptive approach guided this study. A purposive sample of 19 traditional baccalaureate nursing students was recruited to participate in one-hour face-to-face interviews. RESULTS All participants defined academic and clinical integrity as honest, ethical, and accountable behavior. Additional subthemes of characteristics, facilitators and barriers, and outcomes of acting with integrity emerged. CONCLUSION Students recognize the positive characteristics of integrity and their effects on personal growth and optimal patient outcomes. These findings can inform faculty in developing and supporting a culture of integrity.