APA format is a standardized style of writing and formatting used in academia, including nursing. It is used to communicate research findings, theoretical perspectives, and clinical practice in a clear and concise manner.
Why is it important to use APA format in nursing?
Using APA format in nursing is important for several reasons. First, it allows nurses to communicate their ideas in a way that is understood by other nurses and healthcare professionals. Second, it helps to ensure that nursing research is conducted and reported in a rigorous and ethical manner. Third, it promotes the dissemination of nursing knowledge and the advancement of the profession.
APA format basics
APA format has specific guidelines for fonts, margins, spacing, headings, in-text citations, and the reference list.
Font, margins, and spacing
- Use 12-point Times New Roman font
- Set margins to 1 inch on all sides
- Double-space all lines of text
Headings
APA format uses five levels of headings, each with its own formatting style.
| Level | Formatting |
| 1 | Centered, bold, all caps, 12-point font |
| 2 | Left-aligned, bold, initial caps, 12-point font |
| 3 | Left-aligned, bold, italic, initial caps, 12-point font |
| 4 | Left-aligned, italic, initial caps, 12-point font |
| 5 | Left-aligned, italic, lowercase, 12-point font |
In-text citations
In-text citations are used to indicate where you have used information from another source in your paper. APA format uses two types of in-text citations: parenthetical citations and narrative citations.
Parenthetical citations are enclosed in parentheses and include the author’s last name and the year of publication. For example:
(Smith, 2023)
Narrative citations are embedded in the text of your paper and include the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses. For example:
Reference list
The reference list is a list of all of the sources that you cited in your paper. It should be placed on a separate page at the end of your paper. APA format has specific guidelines for formatting the reference list.
Title page
The title page should include the following information:
- Title of the paper
- Author’s name(s)
- Institutional affiliation
- Date
Abstract
The abstract is a brief summary of your paper, typically 150-250 words long. It should include the main points of the paper, as well as the research findings and conclusions.
Body of the paper
The body of the paper is where you will present your research findings and discuss their implications for nursing practice. It should be organized into sections, such as an introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion.
Introduction
The introduction should provide background information on the topic and state the thesis statement or research question.
Literature review
The literature review should summarize the relevant research on the topic and discuss the implications of the research for nursing practice.
Methods
The methods section should describe the research methods used in the study. This includes information on the participants, data collection, and data analysis.
Results
The results section should present the research findings. Use tables and figures to illustrate the findings, if necessary.
Discussion
The discussion section should interpret the research findings and discuss their implications for nursing practice.
Conclusion
The conclusion should summarize the main points of the paper and restate the thesis statement or research question. It should also discuss the limitations of the study and suggestions for future research.
Reference list
The reference list should list all of the sources that you cited in your paper in alphabetical order. Follow APA guidelines for formatting the reference list.
FAQs
Q. What is the difference between APA and MLA format?
APA format is used in the social and behavioral sciences, while MLA format is used in the humanities. APA format has more specific guidelines for formatting in-text citations and the reference list.
Q. How do I cite a book in APA format?
To cite a book in APA format, include the following information in the reference list:
Author’s last
Q. How do I cite a website in APA format?
To cite a website in APA format, include the following information in the reference list:
Author’s last name, Initials. Initials. (Year). Title of webpage. Retrieved from URL
Q. How do I create a running head in APA format?
To create a running head in APA format, type the title of your paper in all caps, flush left on the top of every page. The running head should be no more than 50 characters long, including spaces.
Q. What are the different types of APA headings?
APA format uses five levels of headings:
- Heading 1: Centered, bold, all caps, 12-point font
- Heading 2: Left-aligned, bold, initial caps, 12-point font
- Heading 3: Left-aligned, bold, italic, initial caps, 12-point font
- Heading 4: Left-aligned, italic, initial caps, 12-point font
- Heading 5: Left-aligned, italic, lowercase, 12-point font
Q. How do I use in-text citations in APA format?
To use in-text citations in APA format, follow these guidelines:
- Parenthetical citations: Enclose the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses after the quoted or paraphrased material. For example:
“The use of social media in nursing education is becoming increasingly popular” (Smith, 2023).
- Narrative citations: Include the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses within the text of your paper. For example:
Smith (2023) found that the use of social media in nursing education can improve student engagement and learning outcomes.
Q. How do I format a reference list in APA format?
To format a reference list in APA format, follow these guidelines:
- List all of the sources that you cited in your paper in alphabetical order by author’s last name.
- Double-space all lines of text in the reference list.
- Use a hanging indent for all lines of text after the first line of each entry.
Here is an example of a reference list entry in APA format:
Smith, J. (2023). The use of social media in nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 62(4), 194-199.
Conclusion
APA format is a valuable tool for nurses to communicate their research findings and clinical practice in a clear and concise manner. By following the guidelines in this guide, nurses can ensure that their work is formatted correctly and that it is easy for other nurses and healthcare professionals to understand.
