ThezisHow to format a nursing paper in APA 7: an annotated example
APA format makes a paper easier to read and verify. It does not tell you what clinical claim to make, which nursing framework your course requires, or how to complete a care plan—your assignment does.
Separate format rules from assignment decisions
| APA 7 can help with | Your rubric decides |
|---|---|
| Title page, headings, citations, references, tables, and figures | Required nursing concepts, source count, patient privacy requirements, and length. |
| How to attribute evidence | Whether the paper is an EBP assignment, discussion post, case study, or care plan. |
| Reference-list structure | Which clinical standards or course resources are acceptable. |
Use the official APA Style student-paper guidance and the exact instructions from your program. A department template may add requirements that the general manual does not cover. APA Style: Student paper setup guide
Format one page, then make a repeatable check
Title page: matches the course template and includes only required fields. Headings: show the paper’s reasoning rather than labels such as ‘Body.’ In-text citations: every borrowed claim, quotation, or specific finding is traceable. References: every in-text citation has a matching reference and vice versa. Tables and figures: numbered, titled, and explained in the text before the reader reaches them.
Check your instructor’s template first. The assignments and examples on this page are educational, not clinical guidance.
Do not submit sensitive patient information in an academic paper unless the assignment and applicable privacy requirements explicitly allow it. De-identification is not a formatting detail; ask your instructor if the boundary is unclear. ANA: Code of Ethics for Nurses