Relationship between academic integrity and writing

Sample Solution

The Cornerstones of Academic and Professional Integrity

Academic integrity and writing are inextricably linked. Writing serves as the primary means for students to demonstrate their knowledge, critical thinking skills, and comprehension of course material. Upholding academic integrity ensures that the writing accurately reflects a student's own understanding and avoids misrepresenting the work of others through plagiarism (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). By giving credit to original sources, students demonstrate respect for intellectual property and avoid misleading their instructors and peers.

Similarly, professional practices and scholarly ethics are intricately intertwined. Nurses adhere to a professional code of ethics that guides their behavior in all aspects of patient care (American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC], 2018). Maintaining this ethical code includes ensuring the accuracy and integrity of patient documentation and communications. This aligns with scholarly ethics, which emphasize honesty, transparency, and responsible conduct in research and authorship (National Institutes of Health [NIH], n.d.). By upholding these ethical principles, nurses ensure the reliability of patient records and contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge through responsible research practices.

Full Answer Section

Grammarly, Turnitin, and paraphrasing can all contribute to academic integrity when used appropriately. Tools like Grammarly help identify grammatical errors and enhance the clarity of writing, but they should not be a substitute for a student's own understanding of the subject matter (McCabe et al., 2020). Turnitin plagiarism reports are valuable for identifying unintentional or accidental plagiarism, allowing students to revise their work to ensure proper citation and avoid misrepresentation (Turnitin, n.d.). Paraphrasing is a valuable skill for integrating source material into your writing, but it's essential to ensure you are genuinely rephrasing the ideas and not simply copying them with minor word changes (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Writing Center, n.d.).

Strategies for Maintaining Integrity Throughout Your Nursing Journey

As a student in the Master of Nursing program, I will maintain academic integrity by:

• Thoroughly understanding and adhering to the program's plagiarism policies and citation guidelines.
• Taking detailed notes during lectures and readings, focusing on understanding concepts rather than simply copying information.
• Actively participating in class discussions to solidify my knowledge and develop my own critical perspectives.
• Paraphrasing source material responsibly by ensuring I understand the content and rephrasing ideas in my own words.
• Utilizing Turnitin reports to identify any unintentional plagiarism and revise my work accordingly.

Throughout my nursing career, I will uphold professional integrity by:

• Maintaining accurate and complete patient documentation, reflecting only the care I have personally provided.
• Attributing findings and observations to the appropriate healthcare team members.
• Engaging in ethical research practices, including obtaining informed consent and ensuring data accuracy.
• Advocating for patients who may be vulnerable to exploitation or misinformation.
• Staying current with evidence-based practice and contributing to the advancement of nursing knowledge by participating in professional development activities.

These strategies will ensure that my academic and professional contributions are honest, ethical, and reflect the dedication and responsibility expected of a Master of Nursing student and a future registered nurse.

References

American Nurses Association (ANA). (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/coe-view-only/

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). (2018). Code of ethics for registered nurses. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/coe-view-only/

McCabe, D. T., Butterfield, D., & Lucas, J. L. (2020). Academic integrity in the digital age. Routledge.

National Institutes of Health (NIH). (n.d.). Research ethics. https://ethics.od.nih.gov/

Turnitin. (n.d.). Plagiarism checker. https://www.turnitin.com/

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Writing Center. (n.d.). Paraphrasing. https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/how-to-paraphrase/