Duncan,

I loved your "send the same essay request several times to the same
essay bank to see if they plagiarise themselves" idea. However, it
wouldn't be plagiarism, but a breech of contract, provided the company
guaranteed bespoke essays. If they didn't, but still provided clones
their credibility would still be shot, however. More edu-terrorism - I
think I just coined a new phrase here, in the vein of eco-terrorism,
but educational - than academic research, but extremely fun! Can we
pass the hat round to get the money to pay for this, and have a few
lawyers volunteer their services in the potential legal action
afterwards?

I liked and was suitably chastened by Jude's comments re 'cheats' not
being able to provide medical aid. She is absolutely right (as always)
that it is the mental skills in keeping up to date that essays, et al
gauge and improve. A couple of people have commented to me that it is
dangerous to go down the "not really qualified are you?" route as all
it does is undermine confidence. A sentiment I completely agree with,
as it reflects the frequent attacks at academic integrity that the
media make against universities, and by implication the students who
have just graduated.

I wish my wife were not away on holiday, as I could ask her opinion,
but I believe that nurse training has become less practice based in the
last twenty years, so learning skills are key now. For example, in
Wales nurses do not have the diploma route anymore and 100% have to do
the degree, with the associated increase in academic expectations. Even
for diploma nurses, continuing professional development (CPD) will have
a more educational flavour, I presume, but is more complex as it is
intertwined with clinical practice.

Clearly, this could be argued as a case for the NMC to be (seen to be?)
doing something about; such as publishing guidelines for the
professionalism of nurses providing essays/skills to this and other
similar services.

The Code of Conduct for Nursing available by digging at
http://www.nmc-uk.org/nmc/main/Fitness_to_Practise/$FTPMain

S1.2 states that a nurse should "Act in such a way that justifies the
trust and confidence the public have in you".

8.4 states when dealing with professional dilemma's "...your first
consideration in all activities must be the interests and safety of
patients and clients".

Another part states that nurses must " act to identify and minimise the
risk to patients and clients".

So, it is not just about students, but also registered nurse in
continuing study. If they were caught 'passing off' a bought essay as
their own work that it would be difficult to argue that they met the
professional standards required for continuing fitness to practise, but
the professional consequences would depend whether their university
reported the infringement to the NMC or not.

It is interesting that the nurses involved with this essay site are not
openly providing their names or identity so must feel that they are not
acting ethically and as qualified nurses they are responsible for their
own practice.

Mike
P.S. Thanks to a friend who suggested some of the above.

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