How to Format a Nursing Research Paper

Proper formatting of a nursing research paper is essential to communicate your findings clearly and professionally. This guide provides detailed instructions for structuring, writing, and formatting your paper to meet academic standards and expectations.

Title Page

The title page should include the following elements:

1. Title of the Paper: Clearly and concisely reflects the content and focus of your research.
2. Author Information: Include your name, institutional affiliation, course name and number, instructor’s name, and submission date.
3. Running Head and Page Number: If required by the style guide (e.g., APA), include a shortened version of your title (no more than 50 characters) as the running head on the upper left and the page number on the upper right.

Abstract

The abstract provides a concise summary of your paper, typically 150-250 words. Include:

• Background: A brief description of the problem or topic being addressed.
• Objective: State the purpose of the research.
• Methods: Summarize the methodology used.
• Results: Highlight key findings.
• Conclusion: Outline the implications of the findings.

Example Abstract: “Nursing burnout significantly impacts patient outcomes and staff retention rates. This study explores the relationship between work environment factors and burnout levels among registered nurses in urban hospitals. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from surveys and interviews with 200 participants. Findings indicate that supportive management and access to professional development opportunities reduce burnout rates. Recommendations for organizational policy changes are discussed.”

Introduction

The introduction should:

1. Provide an overview of the research topic.
2. Explain its significance to nursing practice or healthcare outcomes.
3. Clearly state the research question or hypothesis.

Example Introduction: “The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases highlights the need for effective patient education by nursing professionals. However, disparities in patient education quality remain understudied. This paper examines how nurse-patient communication strategies influence health literacy among patients with type 2 diabetes.”

Literature Review

A literature review synthesizes existing research relevant to your topic. To organize this section:

1. Identify Key Themes: Group studies by themes or methodologies.
2. Evaluate Sources: Assess the credibility, relevance, and limitations of each study.
3. Establish Gaps: Highlight areas where further research is needed.

Example Outline for Literature Review:

• Importance of patient education in chronic disease management.
• The role of communication skills in nursing.
• Existing interventions to improve health literacy.
• Research gaps in communication strategies for underserved populations.

Methods

The methods section describes how the study was conducted. Include:

1. Design: Specify the type of research (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods).
2. Participants: Describe the sample population and how they were selected.
3. Data Collection: Detail tools or procedures used to collect data (e.g., surveys, interviews, or observational methods).
4. Analysis: Explain the techniques used to analyze the data (e.g., statistical tests or thematic coding).

Example Methods Section: “A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 registered nurses working in intensive care units. Participants completed a validated survey assessing job satisfaction and perceived stress levels. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to examine correlations between variables.”

Results

Present the findings of your research in a clear and logical manner. Use:

1. Text: Describe key results.
2. Tables and Figures: Provide visual aids for data representation.
3. Subheadings: Organize results by themes or research questions.

Example Results Section: “Analysis revealed that nurses with higher job satisfaction reported lower stress levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, access to professional development opportunities was associated with increased job satisfaction (r = 0.45).”

Discussion

The discussion interprets your results and connects them to the research question. Include:

1. Summary: Recap key findings.
2. Comparison: Relate results to previous studies.
3. Implications: Discuss how findings influence nursing practice or policy.
4. Limitations: Acknowledge study limitations and their impact on results.
5. Recommendations: Suggest areas for future research.

Example Discussion Section: “The findings align with prior research indicating that supportive work environments mitigate burnout among nurses. However, this study extends the literature by emphasizing the role of professional development in promoting job satisfaction. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts of organizational policies on nurse retention rates.”

Conclusion

Summarize the main points of your paper, emphasizing the importance of your findings. Avoid introducing new information.

Example Conclusion: “Effective communication strategies are essential for improving patient health literacy, particularly in managing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes. By addressing barriers to communication, nurses can enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities.”

References

Follow the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago). Include all sources cited in your paper, ensuring accuracy and consistency.

Example APA References:

• Smith, J. A., & Brown, K. (2020). The role of nurse-patient communication in chronic disease management. Journal of Nursing Research, 35(4), 234-245. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
• World Health Organization. (2019). Nursing workforce statistics. Retrieved from https://www.who.int

Formatting Tips

• Font: Use a standard, readable font such as Times New Roman, 12-point.
• Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Line Spacing: Use double-spacing throughout the document.
• Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by ½ inch.
• Headings: Use headings and subheadings to organize sections (e.g., APA-style Level 1 and Level 2 headings).
• Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the upper-right corner.

Final Checklist

1. Clarity: Ensure all arguments and explanations are clear and concise.
2. Grammar and Spelling: Proofread for errors.
3. Plagiarism: Cite all sources to avoid plagiarism.
4. Formatting: Double-check adherence to style guidelines.

By following this structure and formatting guide, your nursing research paper will effectively convey your insights while adhering to academic standards.