What is APA format?
APA format is a style guide for writing and formatting academic papers. It was developed by the American Psychological Association (APA) and is widely used in nursing and other disciplines.
Why is APA format important for nursing students and professionals?
APA format is important for nursing students and professionals because it ensures that papers are written in a clear and consistent style. This makes it easy for readers to find information and demonstrates professionalism and credibility.
How to use this guide
This guide is a step-by-step guide to formatting a nursing paper in APA style. It includes examples of common references and citations.
Title Page
Formatting the title page
The title page of an APA-formatted paper should include the following information:
- Centered heading at the top of the page: The title of the paper
- Running head at the top of the page: A shortened version of the title (no more than 50 characters)
- Author information below the running head: The author’s name(s) and affiliation(s)
- Affiliation below the author information: The author’s university, hospital, or other organization
Running head
The running head is a shortened version of the title of the paper that appears on all pages of the paper except the title page. It is formatted in all caps, with the page number on the right side.
Author information
The author information includes the author’s name(s) and affiliation(s). The affiliation is the author’s university, hospital, or other organization.
Abstract
- What is an abstract?
An abstract is a brief summary of the paper. It should be 150-250 words long and include the following information:
- Purpose of the study
- Methods
- Results
- Conclusion
How to write an abstract
Start with a clear statement of the purpose of the study. Then, describe the methods used in the study, summarize the results of the study, and state the conclusions of the study.
Tips for writing an effective abstract
Be concise and to the point. Use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical terms. Proofread carefully before submitting.
Body of the Paper
Introduction
The introduction of the paper should provide background information on the topic of the paper, state the research question or hypothesis, and review the relevant literature.
Literature review
The literature review should summarize the research that has been done on the topic of the paper and identify gaps in the research. It should also explain how the current study will address the gaps in the research.
Methods
The methods section should describe the research design, explain the data collection and analysis procedures, and discuss the limitations of the study.
Results
The results section should present the findings of the study. Tables and figures can be used to summarize the findings.
Discussion
The discussion section should interpret the findings of the study, discuss the implications of the findings for nursing practice and research, and identify the limitations of the study.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the paper should summarize the main points of the paper, state the conclusions of the study, and discuss the implications of the study for nursing practice and research. It should also identify the limitations of the study.
References
How to format the references page
The references page should list all of the sources cited in the paper. The sources should be arranged in alphabetical order by author’s last name. APA style formatting should be used for each source.
Examples of common references in nursing
- Articles from nursing journals
- Books on nursing topics
- Websites on nursing topics
FAQs
Q. What is the difference between APA 6th edition and APA 7th edition?
APA 7th edition is the most recent version of the APA style guide. There are a few minor differences between APA 6th edition and APA 7th edition, such as the formatting of reference citations.
Q. How to cite a source in APA format
To cite a source in APA format, you will need to include the following information in the parenthetical citation:
- Author’s last name
- Year of publication
If you are citing a direct quotation, you will also need to include the page number.
For example, if you are citing the following sentence:
“The prevalence of anxiety disorders among nurses is high, with estimates ranging from 15% to 30%.” (Smith, 2023, p. 32)
You would include the following parenthetical citation:
(Smith, 2023, p. 32)
If you are citing a source that has multiple authors, you should list all of the authors’ last names in the parenthetical citation, separated by commas. For example, if you are citing the following sentence:
“A study by Jones, Smith, and Williams (2022) found that nurses who participated in a mindfulness training program reported lower levels of stress and anxiety.”
You would include the following parenthetical citation:
(Jones, Smith, & Williams, 2022)
If you are citing a source that does not have an author, use the title of the source in the parenthetical citation. For example, if you are citing the following sentence:
“The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that the prevalence of anxiety disorders among adults in the United States is 25.3%”
You would include the following parenthetical citation:
(NIMH, 2023)
Examples of common references in nursing
Here are some examples of common references in nursing:
- Articles from nursing journals:
Smith, J., Jones, M., & Williams, B. (2023). The impact of mindfulness training on stress and anxiety in nurses. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 55(3), 425-432.
- Books on nursing topics:
Taylor, C., Lillis, C., & LeMone, P. (2023). Fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of caring (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
- Websites on nursing topics:
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Anxiety disorders. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
