Maintaining integrity as a professional nurse is an essential part of your career. despite knowing the consequences for an academic integrity infraction, why do some students still falsify their work ? what are the most challenging apa formatting issues for you ? Why do you find theses areas do challenging? what resources will you use to overcome these challenges . integrate scholarly resources
Maintaining integrity as a professional nurse is crucial for ensuring patient safety and upholding the standards of the nursing profession. However, despite the consequences that come with academic integrity infractions, some students still choose to falsify their work. To understand why this occurs, it is necessary to explore the underlying factors that may contribute to this behavior.
Several reasons can explain why students may falsify their work despite knowing the consequences. Firstly, the pressure to achieve high grades and meet academic expectations can be overwhelming. In competitive academic environments, where students are constantly compared to their peers, the fear of failure and the desire to excel can push individuals to resort to unethical practices. The perceived benefits of submitting a falsified assignment, such as obtaining a good grade without investing the necessary effort, may outweigh the potential consequences.
Additionally, the lack of time management skills and procrastination can contribute to academic integrity violations. When faced with looming deadlines and a backlog of assignments, students may feel compelled to take shortcuts, including plagiarizing or fabricating information. The temptation to compromise academic integrity arises from the belief that they can complete the work quickly without facing the consequences of their actions.
Furthermore, limited knowledge or understanding of academic integrity principles can also contribute to dishonest behavior. Some students may not fully grasp the concept of plagiarism or the importance of intellectual honesty. They may mistakenly believe that copying and pasting information from the internet or using someone else’s work without proper citation is acceptable. In such cases, educational interventions and increased awareness about academic integrity can help mitigate these issues.
The American Psychological Association (APA) formatting style poses various challenges for nursing students when writing academic papers. One of the most common difficulties lies in properly citing and referencing sources. APA style requires specific formatting for in-text citations and creating a reference list, which can be overwhelming for students who are unfamiliar with these guidelines. Making errors in citation formatting can result in a loss of marks and may even be considered as an academic integrity violation.
Another challenge with APA formatting is correctly formatting the headings and subheadings within the paper. APA has specific rules for headings based on the level of importance and hierarchy. It can be challenging for students to accurately determine the appropriate level of each heading and subheading.
Additionally, APA style stipulates guidelines for formatting tables, figures, and appendices, which can pose difficulties for students. Properly labeling and numbering tables and figures, as well as positioning and referring to them within the text, can be a source of confusion.
The complexity of APA formatting can be overwhelming for nursing students, especially those who are not accustomed to academic writing or have limited experience in formal research. The technical and detailed nature of APA style can be seen as unnecessarily convoluted, making it difficult for students to comprehend and implement correctly.
To overcome these challenges, nursing students can utilize various resources. One valuable resource is the APA Publication Manual, which provides comprehensive guidelines and examples for APA formatting. The manual outlines the rules and conventions of APA style and offers clarification on difficult areas. Reading and familiarizing oneself with the manual can help to improve understanding and accuracy in APA formatting.
Online resources, such as the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) and the APA Style website, also offer guidance and examples on APA formatting. These resources provide step-by-step instructions, tips, and templates for properly formatting papers in accordance with APA style. Students can access these websites to gain a better understanding of specific formatting issues and find solutions to common challenges.
Moreover, seeking feedback from professors, writing tutors, or peers can be beneficial. These individuals can provide guidance, review papers for APA compliance, and offer suggestions for improvement. Feedback received from others can help students identify and rectify any errors or misunderstandings they may have made in their APA formatting.
In conclusion, maintaining integrity as a professional nurse is essential for the nursing profession and patient safety. Although the consequences for academic integrity infractions are well-known, some students still choose to falsify their work due to various reasons such as academic pressure, time management issues, and lack of understanding. As nursing students, the most challenging APA formatting issues often involve correctly citing and referencing sources, formatting headings, and dealing with tables, figures, and appendices. To overcome these challenges, accessing resources such as the APA Publication Manual, online writing labs, and seeking feedback from professors or peers can be highly beneficial. By utilizing these resources, nursing students can enhance their understanding of APA formatting and ensure integrity in their academic work.