Nursing – Professional Issues Online
The following text is part of an online course for Nursing students to instruct them
about academic malpractice and plagiarism.
At the end of this session you will be able to
 Define what academic mal-practice is
 Discuss what constitutes plagiarism
 Define good health and good character
 Discuss the relevance of these to being registered as a midwife
Feedback will take place face to face as a group discussion however you must undertake
this work and your online activity will be monitored.
1. Please read the following information.
Academic malpractice is any activity – intentional or otherwise - that is likely to undermine
the integrity essential to scholarship and research. It includes plagiarism, collusion,
fabrication or falsification of results, and anything else that could result in unearned or
undeserved credit for those committing it. Academic malpractice can result from a deliberate
act of cheating or may be committed unintentionally. Whether intended or not, all incidents of
academic malpractice will be treated seriously by the University.
Plagiarism is the presentation, intentionally or unwittingly, of the ideas, work or words of
other people without proper, clear and unambiguous acknowledgement. It includes the
copying of the work of any other person, including another student, and the submission, in
whole or in part, of a student’s own work - self-plagiarism - where, for example, such work
may have been previously submitted for a different assessment.
Collusion is when a student or students collaborate with another student or students, as an
individual or group to gain a mark or grade to which they are not entitled. Students who allow
another student to copy their work are also committing collusion and both the copier and the
provider of the work are liable to be penalised.
Fabrication or falsification of data or results by individual students or groups of students is
the presentation or inclusion in a piece of work of figures or data which have been made up or
altered and which have no basis in verifiable sources; this may or may not involve other
instances of academic malpractice.
(Source: Academic Malpractice: Guidelines on the Handling of Cases [Guidelines],
University of Manchester)
Activity 1 – Plagiarism
Which of the following are examples of plagiarism?
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You lend another student in your cohort a piece of work because knowing that he/she
is to submit a similar assessment – they tell you that they have left it too late and are
‘panicking’ about having their own work done in time.
You borrow an assignment off your mentor, she tells you she worked on a similar
topic. The introduction and literature search are the same as those you are to write so
you use those relevant parts. You read, critique and present the research findings
yourself.
You buy an piece of work from an internet site
You cut and paste some sections of work from the original research studies and
reference them.
Make notes so that you can discuss your thoughts in group feedback.
2. How to avoid plagiarism.
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It my seem obvious but be organised and ensure that you allow enough time to work
on each piece of work. If you feel pressurised for time particularly because of a
change in circumstances or any other mitigation you should see your personal teacher
(academic advisor) as soon as possible.
For your dissertation ensure that you work closely with your supervisor so that they
can monitor the steps you are taking to progress through the work.
Do not borrow work from anyone except to look at the structure of work – never
replicate any of the content.
Do not lend work to anyone especially in an electronic form. If someone you know is
struggling then advise them to seek help from a lecturer. If another student asks to
look at your work to see how it is set out then sit with them whilst they review it.
3. How to avoid plagiarism.
You may use work from other authors as long as you do so correctly. One way to do this is to
paraphrase so that the authors original words are rewritten in your own words but the
meaning maintained. This would need to include reference to the original author.
You may also us direct quotations from the authors original work, this should only be a short
excerpt, in italics, cited verbatim, in quotation marks with a reference and page number to
indicate where the quotation can be found. Following this there should be discussion, at the
appropriate level of study as to why the quotation is important to the assignment.
The following is a passage taken from a Midwifery journal study Kukulu k, Oncel s (2009) Factors influencing women's decision to have a home birth in rural
Turkey. Midwifery, Volume 25, Issue 1, Pages 32-38
Home birth has its advantages and disadvantages. In a home birth, the mother feels more
secure and comfortable, and gives birth in a familiar setting. Her husband and relatives can
provide assistance at every stage of the birth process. Home birth also provides a great
opportunity for promoting physiological and psychological comfort in the postpartum period
and during breast feeding. In addition, home births can be much more economical. The main
disadvantage of a home birth is distance from a hospital setting, as birth presents risks to both
the mother and the fetus (Coren, 2002). This study was conducted using a descriptive, crosssectional method, with the aim of understanding the reasons why mothers choose to give birth
at home, and the factors that influence these reasons.
Activity 2.
The following is a passage taken from a Midwifery journal study Home birth has its advantages and disadvantages. In a home birth, the mother feels more
secure and comfortable, and gives birth in a familiar setting. Her husband and relatives can
provide assistance at every stage of the birth process. Home birth also provides a great
opportunity for promoting physiological and psychological comfort in the postpartum period
and during breast feeding. In addition, home births can be much more economical. The main
disadvantage of a home birth is distance from a hospital setting, as birth presents risks to both
the mother and the fetus (Coren, 2002). This study was conducted using a descriptive, crosssectional method, with the aim of understanding the reasons why mothers choose to give birth
at home, and the factors that influence these reasons.
Kukulu k, Oncel s (2009) Factors influencing women's decision to have a home birth in rural
Turkey. Midwifery, Volume 25, Issue 1, Pages 32-38
If this appeared in a piece of work would it constitute plagiarism?
You may want to cut and paste this section into a word document and highlight text which is
the same as the original article.
According to Kukulu and Oncel (2009) home birth has its advantages and disadvantages. The
mother feels more secure and comfortable, and gives birth in a familiar setting if she is at
home. Her family and partner can provide assistance at every stage of the birth process. Home
birth also provides a great opportunity for promoting physiological and psychological comfort
in the postpartum period and during breast feeding. Also the author’s suggest home births can
be much more economical. The main disadvantage of a home birth is distance from a hospital
setting, as birth presents risks to both the mother and the fetus (Coren, 2002). This study was
conducted using a descriptive, cross-sectional method, with the aim of understanding the
reasons why mothers choose to give birth at home, and the factors that influence these
reasons.
Paraphrasing
Original work
Home birth has its advantages and disadvantages. In a home birth, the mother feels more
secure and comfortable, and gives birth in a familiar setting. Her husband and relatives can
provide assistance at every stage of the birth process. Home birth also provides a great
opportunity for promoting physiological and psychological comfort in the postpartum period
and during breast feeding. In addition, home births can be much more economical. The main
disadvantage of a home birth is distance from a hospital setting, as birth presents risks to both
the mother and the fetus (Coren, 2002). This study was conducted using a descriptive, crosssectional method, with the aim of understanding the reasons why mothers choose to give birth
at home, and the factors that influence these reasons.
Paraphrased
According to Kukulu and Oncel (2009) in their descriptive, cross sectional study state that
there are many benefits to giving birth at home as it is a familiar environment with all ‘home
comforts’. There are no restrictions on visitors unlike the hospital setting and women can
therefore choose who they want to support them in labour and the postnatal period. Kukulu
and Oncel (2009) go on to state that this is more economical but one difficulty might be that
of being a distance away from a hospital unit if the woman or baby needed to be transferred.
Quotations
Kukulu and Oncel (2009) discuss the benefits of a home birth setting stating that
‘it provides a great opportunity for promoting physiological and psychological comfort in the
postpartum period and during breast feeding’ (page 32)
4. Good Health and Good Character
Each year you will have signed a declaration of good health and good character. Just prior to
completion of the Programme you will need to sign another one declaring any character or
health issues that might prevent you registering as a midwife. This is an NMC requirement.
You will be aware that Nursing and Midwifery are self-regulating professions – this means
that you are responsible for reporting appropriately and promptly anything that may affect
your practice and continuing registration.
The following information is taken from the NMC website.
Good health
Good health is necessary to undertake practice as a nurse or midwife. Good health means that
you must be capable of safe and effective practice without supervision. It does not mean the
absence of any disability or health condition. Many disabled people and those with long-term
health conditions are able to practise with or without adjustments to support their practice.
Long-term conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes or depression can be well managed and
would then not be incompatible with registration.
Temporary health conditions do not necessarily mean a person is not fit to practise. For
example having a broken leg may mean a person is not fit to work for a period of time. It does
not mean they are not fit to practise as they can reasonably expect to recover fully and return
to work.
Good character
Good character is important as nurses and midwives must be honest and trustworthy. Your
good character is based on your conduct, behaviour and attitude. It covers examples such as
someone who knowingly practises as a nurse or midwife before they are on the register, or
someone who signs a student off from an educational programme while being aware of poor
behaviour.
It also includes any convictions and cautions that are not considered compatible with
professional registration and that might bring the profession into disrepute. Your character
must be sufficiently good for you to be capable of safe and effective practice without
supervision.
What to do if you are on a programme of midwifery education
Once you are on a programme it is your responsibility to inform the university if your health
or disability status changes so they can reassess your fitness to remain on the programme.
If you have a disability or health condition you need to consider telling others about it. This
will mean you can get the support you need during the programme. You will need to decide
which people to tell and how much you wish them to know. Your personal tutor would be a
useful person for you to tell about your health condition or disability. They will be able to
help you in getting the support you may need in practice placements.
Similarly if you receive a conviction or caution during your programme, you must inform
your personal tutor or programme leader.
Source: http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2603
Activity 3
Read this scenario – what do you think the outcome should be?
Students on pre-registration courses - Character
Dorothy, a student in the beginning of her third year, plagiarised her most recent assignment.
This was reported to the External Examiner and would be considered formally by the
Examination Board. The programme leader is unsure about whether she can sign the
confirming declaration of good health and good character and whether Dorothy should remain
on the programme until the Board meets to make a formal decision. She refers the case to the
university’s fitness to practise panel.
The issue
Is Dorothy capable of safe and effective practice without supervision? The university needs to
consider whether Dorothy knowingly copied another individual’s work and then submitted it
as her own work. To knowingly plagiarise academic material is the equivalent of fraud
Outcome
Make your own notes here.
Now visit the NMC website to check what their advice would be.
http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=3105
Applying for registration as a midwife
The NMC requires assurance that nurses and midwives who enter and stay on its register are
capable of safe and effective practice. All applicants for registration must self-declare their
good health and good character to us.
Nursing and midwifery are self-regulating professions. This means that you take
responsibility for your own actions and behaviour and are professionally accountable to us for
them. Your self-declaration is a confirmation to us that you:
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intend to comply with the Code: standards for conduct, performance and
ethics for nurses and midwives
•
have no relevant convictions or cautions
•
have not been found guilty of misconduct or lack of fitness to practise by another
regulatory body, or the NMC, and are not subject to a judgement by a licensing
body elsewhere that would prevent you from practising as a nurse or a midwife
•
are not currently suspended by another regulatory body or licensing body, and
•
have good health sufficient to practise safely and effectively.
We also ask for a supporting declaration from someone who knows you well. The person
making the supporting declaration must believe that, to the best of their knowledge, you are of
sufficient good health and good character to practise safely and effectively without
supervision. If you have just completed a pre-registration programme for nursing or
midwifery then this person must be either the nursing programme leader (pre-registration
nursing and SCPHN programmes) or the lead midwife for education (midwifery
programmes). The NMC rules require that you register within five years of completing your
pre-registration programme.
If during your pre-registration programme you have had a conviction or caution that may
impact on your good character, you must notify the university. If necessary a university
fitness to practise panel will meet to make a decision about your suitability for practice.
Do you have an issue relating to health or character? Visit the NMC website for further
information or speak to the Lead Midwife for Education (who is this http://www.nmcuk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=219).
http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=3106