Maintaining Your Own Integrity As A Professional Nurse

Maintaining Your Own Integrity as a Professional Nurse Is an Essential Part

Academic integrity is fundamental to the nursing profession as it upholds the values of honesty, accountability, and professionalism during each nurse’s career. Despite understanding the serious consequences associated with academic dishonesty, some students may still choose to falsify their work due to various reasons such as fear of failure, pressure to succeed, or lack of confidence in their abilities. These motivations can create a conflict between personal pressures and professional ethics. However, compromising academic integrity can have long-term repercussions, not only jeopardizing academic standing but also undermining the trust essential to the nurse-patient relationship and the overall healthcare environment. Maintaining integrity requires a conscious effort to uphold honesty and transparency, which are critical for developing competence and trustworthiness in the nursing field.

One of the most challenging aspects of APA formatting for many students, including myself, is accurately citing sources and applying the correct referencing style. Properly integrating references from sources such as Masters (2020) and scholarly articles from databases can be complex due to specific rules for in-text citations, reference list formatting, and overall adherence to APA guidelines. These challenges are often compounded by uncertainties about how to properly paraphrase, quote, and cite different types of sources to avoid plagiarism while maintaining academic rigor. To overcome these difficulties, I plan to utilize resources such as the Purdue OWL APA Guide and the official APA Publication Manual. Additionally, consulting the textbook by Masters (2020), along with academic writing centers and online citation generators, will help me develop a deeper understanding of APA style and improve my citation skills.

Paper For Above instruction

Maintaining integrity as a professional nurse is a cornerstone of ethical practice in healthcare. Academic integrity encompasses honesty, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards, which are essential not only for personal growth but also for fostering trust among colleagues and patients. Despite the clear understanding of the potential repercussions of dishonesty, including academic penalties and damage to professional reputation, some students might still falsify their work. A predominant motivation for this behavior is often the immense pressure to succeed academically or fear of failure. These pressures can override moral considerations, leading students to compromise their integrity. However, such actions can undermine the foundational values of the nursing profession, where trustworthiness and honesty are vital. For nurses, upholding these principles ensures they deliver safe, ethical care and serve as role models in their communities. Academic environments should therefore foster a culture of integrity by providing support, resources, and education about the importance of honesty in developing professional competence.

Another significant challenge in academic writing, particularly related to APA formatting, involves the correct citation and referencing of sources. As a nursing student referencing authoritative texts such as Masters (2020), and scholarly articles, understanding and applying APA guidelines can be daunting. Common issues include proper in-text citations, formatting references accurately, and appropriately paraphrasing information to avoid plagiarism. These challenges are compounded by inconsistencies or uncertainties about how to cite different source types and how to use direct quotes effectively. I recognize that mastering APA style requires ongoing practice and familiarity with the latest edition's guidelines. To overcome these challenges, I plan to leverage credible resources such as the Purdue OWL APA Style Guide and the official APA Publication Manual. Additionally, I will consult my textbook, Masters (2020), and utilize academic writing centers and citation management tools to enhance my understanding and application of APA formatting standards. Developing proficiency in APA style is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and presenting scholarly work professionally.

References

  • Masters, K. (2020). Role development in professional nursing practice (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2023). APA Style Introduction. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
  • American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
  • Hockey, J. (2021). Ethical Professionalism in Nursing: The Foundation of Trust. Nursing Ethics Journal, 28(3), 385–392.
  • Zimmerman, B. J., & Schunk, D. H. (2018). Self-regulated learning and academic integrity. Review of Educational Research, 88(4), 605–639.
  • International Council of Nurses. (2019). Nursing ethics and professional conduct. https://www.icn.ch/what-we-do/ethics
  • Roberts, L., & Welch, S. (2017). Strategies for teaching APA formatting to nursing students. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(2), 80–84.
  • American Nurses Association. (2020). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/
  • Johnson, P., & Smith, R. (2022). Overcoming challenges in academic writing: A guide for nursing students. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 19(1), 1–10.
  • Williams, D. J. (2019). The importance of academic integrity in nursing education. Nursing Education Perspectives, 40(2), 86–89.

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