What do I need to know before I begin writing?

Explore the journal to familiarize yourself with our style and with the types of articles we publish. Read these submission guidelines carefully.

What types of articles do you publish?

We are seeking submissions that present new and practical information and insights that can help nurses in their work, no matter what the setting. We publish peer-reviewed feature articles as well as shorter department pieces. We do not publish manuscripts that have been submitted elsewhere for consideration or have been previously published.

Peer-reviewed features

Preference is given to material that presents new ideas and practical implications for practice at a national level. Literature reviews or descriptions of the process of a research study are discouraged. We do not accept submissions that exceed 3,000 words (inclusive of abstract and references).

An abstract of no more than 200 words must be included with your manuscript. The abstract should summarize the main points, including the aims, conclusions and major implications for nursing practice.

References provide readers with the resources they need to pursue further study on a topic. To be useful, they must be complete, current and from a primary source. Canadian Nurse follows APA (American Psychological Association) style. References must be cited in the manuscript text, using an author-date citation system, and be listed alphabetically in a separate references section at the end of the manuscript. Endnotes and footnotes are discouraged.

Poor focus and weak structure are the main problems we see with manuscripts. Take time to structure the content and try to make your messages clear and concise. At the same time, we don’t expect perfection. We encourage submissions from first-time writers as well as seasoned authors.

Authorship credit should be based on the extent of an individual’s contributions to the concept, the initial draft and the revision of the manuscript. We would prefer that no more than five individuals are listed as authors. Canadian Nurse reserves the right to request a detailed description of authors’ contributions to the work. If the criteria for authorship are not met, we may ask you to remove some of the names as a condition of publication.

Departments

Promising Practices. Describe an innovative or a unique program or outline a project or an application of technology that enhances patient care or improves the quality of health-care workplaces. Submissions must not exceed 1,400 words. A maximum of three references will be accepted.

Reflection. Write about a particular personal or professional experience, focusing on the lessons learned and insights gained. These submissions are usually written in the first person, without references. Submissions must not exceed 1,400 words.

Commentary. Would you like to raise an important issue for discussion among your colleagues? Are you looking for a forum for your opinion? We invite commentary, without references, on current issues relevant to a broad range of Canadian nurses. Ensure that your point of view is clear and that your writing style is conversational. Submissions must not exceed 800 words.

Can I include photos, tables or figures with my submission?

We encourage you to submit high-resolution digital photos to accompany your manuscript. Images must be a minimum of 300 dpi at 100 per cent final size. Photographers must be credited, and releases must be obtained from all identifiable people in your photos. Please provide caption information, including names and context

Limit the number of tables and figures you submit to no more than three. If they are from another source, you must obtain permission to reproduce them in advance and include the written permission with your submission.

Canadian Nurse reserves the right to make the final decision on all artwork and caption information.

How do I send you my manuscript?

E-mail your manuscript to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please include a cover letter with contact information for the lead author and a one-sentence biographical sketch (credentials, current job title and location) for each author.

We prefer that all correspondence be conducted via e-mail.

I’ve submitted my manuscript. Now what?

Submitted manuscripts are acknowledged upon arrival. Following an internal review, the manuscript is accepted, rejected or, if appropriate, sent for peer review. The criteria used for evaluation include significance and scope, timeliness, reader appeal, accuracy and readability.

If your manuscript is accepted, it will undergo editing prior to publication. Editors aim to ensure authors’ ideas are presented in the most readable manner while retaining their personal style. All edited copy is returned to the lead author for approval. Authors are responsible for all statements in the article, including those made by the editorial staff.

Canadian Nurse reserves the right to make the final decision on title and copy changes.

Once your manuscript has been accepted, each author will be asked to sign a form stating that she/he has made a substantial contribution to the concept, writing or revision of the manuscript and agreeing to transfer copyright to the Canadian Nurses Association.

Are there other ways to contribute to Canadian Nurse?

Suggest a Nurse to Know. We’re looking for inspiring individuals to highlight in our popular profile section. Your nominee must have demonstrated leadership, a commitment to an area of nursing or health care and a passion for the profession. Include the name of the nurse and her/his contact information and briefly explain why you think this person should be profiled.

Write a letter for Feedback. This is your opportunity to comment on what you read in Canadian Nurse. Please include your professional credentials, a daytime phone number and your complete mailing address. If selected for publication, your submission may be edited for length and clarity.

Suggest a story idea we can explore. Are you dealing with an ethical dilemma or a legal question that you want your colleagues to know about? Have you heard about a problem or a success story in nursing practice that you think our readers would be interested in? We may be able to assign a writer to pursue your topic.