Academic Policies and Practices to Deter Cheating in Nursing Education

AIM The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess the evidence available to facilitate nursing faculty in policy development and implementation of strategies to deter cheating. BACKGROUND No previous comprehensive summary of successful faculty practices was found in the literature on which to base academic practice. METHODS A search of six databases was undertaken using the combination of terms: nursing and policy, nursing and student misconduct, nursing and cheating, and nursing and integrity. More than 28,000 publications were reviewed for English language, US higher education system, and health care programs. Excluded articles described bioethical and research misconduct, admission policy, or workforce issues. RESULTS Forty-three articles met criteria; a matrix table lists specific faculty action plans and deterrent strategies by category of misconduct for each publication. CONCLUSION Clearly defined behaviors, processes, and consequences should be delineated by school policies to guide implementation of specific cheating deterrent strategies.