A nursing journal is a magazine dealing with a particular professional activity or subject about nurses. Articles in most nursing journals are a product by nurse educators and researchers. However registered nurses, nurse managers and administrators have an opportunity to write about issues of interest or workplace innovations.
Getting a nursing journal to publish articles might seem daunting, but it is possible for those who make sufficient effort.
Helpful tips for getting published in a nursing journal
Identify the right opportunity
There are many nursing journals that all require articles, but you should begin by deciding those that fit the subject you want to write. Contemplate about these other factors together with the type of article you want to write:
- Your passionate area
- A burning clinical issue or question
- Target audience
- Timeliness of the subject
The subject of your article can be a reflection, research, best practice or opinion. Assess the option that has much of your passion.
Analyze gaps in written material
Searching for a gap is like a diagnosis in nursing. Search a variety of articles on the topic you intend to write to determine if there is an existing gap in the current literature. It is most likely that you will find something that other writers have not written about a nursing issue. Think about journals that focus on your chosen topic and determine the guidelines for authors. Most of the journals with websites have a guidelines page. Author guidelines include information submission process, word limit, and policies on issues such as language or images.
Also read: Nursing case study writing services online
Create an interesting topic
Choose a compelling topic for the subject that you choose to write to attract the attention of the editors as they know the taste of their readers. A good topic should be something that draws your passion as you will have a desire to research and write about it. Your enthusiasm will rub onto the readers as nobody like to read a dull article.
Make a formal query
One of the steps to getting published is to create a rapport with the editor. Send a query letter to the journals that you zero in to gauge their interest in your topic. Send a brief letter by email stating your topic, a summary of your background and qualifications enabling you to write on the matter. Some people refer to this query as a pitch letter because it pitches the idea to an editor to determine interest in a particular interest.
A pitch letter should articulate the goals and desired outcomes of the article. Most of the journal editors respond within a short moment. A response might include the general requirements and a submission deadline. It might also include guidelines on the things you might require to change.
Match the guideline
Your chances of publication are higher if you can write while adhering to author instructions. Many journals have managing and production editors to clarify instructions that are not clear to contributor such as referencing style. Current lives are hasty, and you must write well and convey a message from the start as readers might not be patient to wait for the piece to progress. Avoid ambiguous concepts and terms or mistakes in the text. Communicate the ideas with precision, clarity in professional, authoritative voice while backing claims with statistics.
Proofread and edit your journal article before submission. The quality will be higher if you ask someone knowledgeable to proofread your work. Journal editor might require for further editing, changes or clarification after reading your manuscript. You should do it with enthusiasm as it is a sign that your contribution will not be rejected.