What is APA format?
APA format, or American Psychological Association format, is a style guide that provides guidelines for formatting academic papers. It is the most widely used style guide in the social sciences, including nursing. APA format is used to ensure that papers are formatted consistently and professionally, making it easier for readers to understand and find the information they need.
Why is APA format used in nursing?
APA format is used in nursing because it is the standard format for scholarly writing in the field. Nursing papers are often read by other nurses, researchers, and healthcare professionals. Using APA format helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and can easily understand the information being presented.
Benefits of using APA format
There are several benefits to using APA format for nursing papers. APA format:
- Makes papers easier to read and understand
- Ensures that papers are formatted consistently and professionally
- Helps to avoid plagiarism
- Makes it easier for readers to find the information they need
- Is the standard format for scholarly writing in the field of nursing
How to use APA format for nursing papers
To use APA format for nursing papers, you will need to follow the guidelines for formatting the title page, abstract, body of the paper, reference list, and tables and figures. You will also need to cite your sources using APA in-text citations and a reference list.
APA format basics
Font and font size
The standard font for APA format is Times New Roman 12-point. You can use other fonts, but they must be easy to read and professional looking.
Margins
All margins should be set to 1 inch.
Line spacing
All text should be double-spaced.
Paragraph indentation
The first line of each paragraph should be indented 0.5 inch.
Headings
Headings should be used to organize your paper and make it easier to read. Headings should be centered and bold.
Running head
A running head is a short header that appears at the top of each page of your paper. It should include the title of your paper and your last name.
Page numbers
Page numbers should be placed in the upper right corner of each page.
APA citations
In-text citations
In-text citations are used to indicate when you have used someone else’s work in your paper. In-text citations should be placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence where you have used the source. The in-text citation should include the author’s last name and the year of publication.
Basic in-text citation format
(Author, Year)
Citing multiple authors
If you are citing a source with two authors, list both authors’ last names in alphabetical order. If you are citing a source with three or more authors, list the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”
Citing sources with different publication dates
If you are citing two or more sources with the same author and different publication dates, list the sources in chronological order, with the oldest source first.
Citing different types of sources
The format for in-text citations varies depending on the type of source you are citing. For example, the format for citing a book is different from the format for citing a journal article.
Reference list
The reference list is a list of all the sources that you cited in your paper. The reference list should be placed at the end of your paper, after the body of the paper and any tables or figures.
Basic reference list format
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
Formatting references for different types of sources
The format for reference list entries varies depending on the type of source you are citing. For example, the format for referencing a book is different from the format for referencing a journal article.
APA format examples
Title page example
Running head: APA FORMAT FOR NURSING PAPERS
Title: APA Format for Nursing Papers: A Comprehensive Guide
Author: [Your name]
Affiliation: [Your school or university]
Abstract example
This article provides a comprehensive overview of APA format for nursing papers. It covers the basics of APA format, such as font and font size. Here is the continuation of the article on APA format for nursing papers:
APA format basics
Headings
Headings should be used to organize your paper and make it easier to read. Headings should be centered and bold. There are five levels of headings in APA format.
Level 1 heading
Level 2 heading
Level 3 heading
Level 4 heading
Level 5 heading
Running head
A running head is a short header that appears at the top of each page of your paper. It should include the title of your paper and your last name. The running head should be centered and in all caps.
Page numbers
Page numbers should be placed in the upper right corner of each page, starting with the title page. The page number should be placed 0.5 inches from the top of the page and 0.5 inches from the right edge of the page.
APA citations
In-text citations
In-text citations are used to indicate when you have used someone else’s work in your paper. In-text citations should be placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence where you have used the source. The in-text citation should include the author’s last name and the year of publication.
Basic in-text citation format
(Author, Year)
Example:
The most common cause of death in the United States is heart disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).
Citing multiple authors
If you are citing a source with two authors, list both authors’ last names in alphabetical order. If you are citing a source with three or more authors, list the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”
Example:
A recent study found that exercise can help to reduce the risk of heart disease (Smith et al., 2022).
Citing sources with different publication dates
If you are citing two or more sources with the same author and different publication dates, list the sources in chronological order, with the oldest source first.
Example:
A recent study found that exercise can help to reduce the risk of heart disease (Smith, 2021; Smith et al., 2022).
Citing different types of sources
The format for in-text citations varies depending on the type of source you are citing. For example, the format for citing a book is different from the format for citing a journal article.
Reference list
The reference list is a list of all the sources that you cited in your paper. The reference list should be placed at the end of your paper, after the body of the paper and any tables or figures.
Basic reference list format
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
Example:
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
Formatting references for different types of sources
The format for reference list entries varies depending on the type of source you are citing. For example, the format for referencing a book is different from the format for referencing a journal article.
APA format examples
Title page example
Running head: APA FORMAT FOR NURSING PAPERS
Title: APA Format for Nursing Papers: A Comprehensive Guide
Author: [Your name]
Affiliation: [Your school or university]
Abstract example
This article provides a comprehensive overview of APA format for nursing papers. It covers the basics of APA format, such as font and font size, margins, line spacing, paragraph indentation, headings, running head, and page numbers. It also covers APA citations, including in-text citations and the reference list. Finally, it provides examples of APA format for the title page, abstract, in-text citations, and reference list.
In-text citation examples
(American Psychological Association, 2020)
Reference list example
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
Conclusion
APA format is the standard formatting style for nursing papers. By following the guidelines for APA format, you can ensure that your papers are formatted consistently and professionally, making it easier for readers to understand and find the information they need.
