Consider this advice before sitting down to write your next (or first) article.

I’ve worked in health science publishing for many years. One of my passions remains helping nurses write for publication. First-time authors frequently need a helping hand to get started and overcome some of the roadblocks that inhibit their progress.

We’ve all worked on papers for nursing school, but sitting down to write for publication requires a different approach. A few key pointers might help you get started.

1. Study journals. Familiarize yourself with the journal you’re considering for your manuscript submission. I recommend reading print copies of the journals you want to write for. Pay attention to the topics they cover as well as the writing style, figures and tables, headings, and illustrations or images. As you review the journal, consider how your ideas might (or might not) fit.
2. Follow author guidelines. Yes, this is an obvious, simple rule, but some authors don’t follow the guidelines, and the result is apparent in their work. Many journals reject an article outright if it doesn’t adhere to these basic instructions.
3. Capture the reader’s attention. Several elements—headings, subheadings, tables, and figures—can help pull readers into your article as they page through the journal. For example, use sidebars to pull together important content into a simple, easy-to-read list.
4. Project confidence. Nurses in clinical practice possess skills, have attained knowledge, and participate in projects critical to improving patient care outcomes. When you share vital information with your colleagues in journal articles, incorporate case scenarios that illustrate essential steps in nursing care and use active voice to describe your work.
5. Increase your knowledge. When digging into the literature, gather information from a variety of sources and also check out other disciplines. Immersing yourself in the topic will make the writing process more manageable.
6. Focus on new information. Background information and the literature review, although important, aren’t as critical as the project or case you’re presenting. Think about the takeaways that readers can use and apply to their own practice.
7. Begin in the middle. Don’t start with writing the title and first sentence, which can prove daunting. Instead, write the core content you know best and the key components you want to communicate. After you’ve covered the main focus of your article, you’ll find writing the first and last paragraphs much easier.
8. Don’t assume. We frequently write assuming the reader knows what we’re talking about. Writing from this assumption can create confusion and muddy important takeaways. For example, clearly describe your organization’s structure and how you worked to change processes.

---

Cheryl L. Mee is the Executive Editorial Director for the American Nurse Journal. She is a contributor to the Anatomy of Writing for Publication for Nurses, now in its fifth edition (myamericannurse.com/anatomy-of-writing-for-publication-for-nurses-the-writing-guide-youve-been-looking-for).

American Nurse Journal offers author resources, including a podcast and a tip sheet, which you can download at myamericannurse.com/author-guidelines.

American Nurse Journal. 2025; 20(2). Doi: 10.51256/ANJ022556