[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Writing is an essential skill nurses should achieve proficiency in early in their career. It is a crucial part of the profession, as nurses need to be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While verbal communication also plays a vital role in nursing, being able to write well builds the nurse’s ability to provide better care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Being able to accurately detail a patient’s personal history, symptoms, and diagnosis allows for the execution of a precise treatment plan that is clearly communicated to all parties involved, both professional and personal.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]From [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] to [hen-ui-link href=”/clinical-nurse-specialist/”]clinical nurses[/hen-ui-link] and beyond, being able to communicate effectively and efficiently is a critical [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//soft-skills-for-successful-nurses/”]soft skill[/hen-ui-link] that will help nurses in any role increase their ability to treat their patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide provides an overview of the types of writing nurses will experience throughout their educational training. Utilize the following tips and tricks to help strengthen your writing skills, which will ultimately help in the development of [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/reasons-to-choose-a-career-in-nursing//”]transferable career skills[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Types of Writing Nurses Will Do in School[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Personal Statements for Nursing School[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing schools want candidates who meet academic and professional requirements. They also want a candidate who demonstrates a sincere passion for patient care and individual connections. You should always craft a personal statement, even when the application doesn’t explicitly require one. Personal statements allow you to describe your goals, characteristics, credentials, volunteer work, and meaningful life experiences. A well-crafted essay can help you stand out among other qualified applicants. And, as with any piece of writing, you must take the time to revise.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In your personal statement, you should portray yourself as determined and empathetic, with characteristics, goals, work ethic, and healthcare philosophy that align with a program’s values. Some nursing schools ask for a general personal statement, while others require a specific prompt. Colleges commonly ask students to describe a hardship they overcame, a difficult task they accomplished, or a professional goal they hope to achieve through the program. Many schools also ask students to detail previous experiences in healthcare. You may decide to write about how you connect with patients or how you provide practical and emotional support to loved ones.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Exams[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You will also encounter writing prompts during examinations, including standardized tests like the GRE or MCAT, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-entrance-exams-guide/”]nursing school entrance exams[/hen-ui-link], and course-specific evaluations. You may also take exams to get state licensure or professional certification. In most of these instances, you will need to write one or several long-form essays. Proper planning is key. Though you won’t know what specific prompt the test will require, you can expect certain common topics. You can search online or use study guides to determine which prompts usually appear on each test.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]On test day, you should begin by creating an outline that lists three main points in response to the prompt. Using these points, work backwards to write a central thesis to guide the essay’s structure. Review what you’ve written to ensure that the essay actually responds to the prompt at hand. Be sure to leave time to correct spelling, grammar, and stylistic errors.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Research Papers[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like essays, research papers follow a long-form structure. Unlike an essay, which heavily relies on the writer’s point of view, a research paper presents an in-depth investigation of a topic using data, expert opinions, and insights. While an essay evaluates general critical thinking and writing skills, a research paper tests your knowledge, research skills, and original contributions. Research papers also allow you to prove you understand what has been argued and discovered about a topic. Research papers, especially at the graduate and doctoral levels, require independent research and analyses. These papers sometimes take months or years to complete.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To write a successful research paper, you should pick a topic relevant to your interests and the nursing field. Possibilities include elderly care challenges, patient safety and ethics, mental health treatment and regulations in the U.S., and [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/why-is-there-a-nursing-shortage//”]nursing shortages[/hen-ui-link] and possible solutions. Whatever your choice, you must plan accordingly. Advanced papers such as dissertations may require funding or help from professors. Research papers often consist of the following sections: abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. You should keep this general structure in mind as you prepare notes and outlines.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do You Write a Nursing Essay?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In nursing school, essay writing includes academic papers, personal narratives, and professional compositions. You should become familiar with each of the five major forms below. There are many similarities between these essay types, such as an overarching thesis and a supportive, logical structure. You should support claims with factual, statistical, anecdotal, and rhetorical evidence. However, each form requires distinct skills to achieve specific results.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Narrative[/hen-ui-heading]As its name suggests, a narrative essay tells a story from a clear point of view. Successful narratives feature a beginning, middle, and end. You will likely encounter this essay type during your personal narrative or statement. A narrative must have a clear purpose, usually centered on a particular subject matter. You should write in first-person, using concise, evocative language.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Expository[/hen-ui-heading]Expository essays usually follow a basic five paragraph structure. These essays explain or inform the reader about a specific topic. An expository essay features a clear structure and logical transitions between the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Be prepared to provide ample evidence to reinforce your claims.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Persuasive[/hen-ui-heading]Sometimes confused with the expository form, which also contains argumentative elements, a persuasive essay seeks to convince the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a particular action. For example, a persuasive essay could argue for the federal legalization of marijuana in the U.S. due to proven medical benefits and economic gains. Like the other essay types, you should focus on clear arguments, logical transitions, and overall structure.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Comparative[/hen-ui-heading]This essay compares and contrasts two items. You will be tasked with evaluating theories, texts, events, and opinions on a singular issue. You will also offer an impartial analysis, argue for the superiority of one side, or suggest a synthesis. Whatever the case, you should pay particular attention to structure to link two disparate items under a central thesis. One way to organize a comparative essay is by discussing two points in detail. Another option is to move from one topic to the next, including data from both points.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Cause and Effect[/hen-ui-heading]Like a comparative essay, use a cause and effect essay to report on a particular subject or advocate for a specific position. For instance, you may discuss the causes and demonstrable effects of climate change, or you can argue for change through grassroot and legislative action. Like all other essay types, a clear and strong thesis provides a solid foundation. This form relies heavily on logical transitions. The body paragraphs are generally structured by describing each cause and its collateral effect.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Citations Guide for Nursing Students[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Citations allow readers to know where information came from. By citing sources, you avoid plagiarizing or stealing another person’s ideas, research, language, and analyses. Whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism is one of the most egregious errors one can make. Consequences for plagiarism include automatic course failure, disciplinary actions from the university, and even legal repercussions. You should take special care to ensure you properly cite sources.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background” theme=”primary”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”American Psychological Association (APA) Style”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]APA is the most commonly used style among natural scientists, social scientists, educators, and nurses. Like other citation styles, APA emphasizes clarity of font style, font size, spacing, and paragraph structure. APA citations focus on publication date, and in most cases, the date comes right after the author’s name. This order makes the style particularly useful for scientists, who value new research and updates on current findings. For more information on APA style, visit this [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.apastyle.org/” target=”_blank”]official website[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Example:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″](Author and year of publication, page number)“Punishment, then, will tend to become the most hidden part of the penal process” (Foucault, 1977, p. 9).[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CMS (also known as CMOS or, simply, Chicago) features two citation systems, the notes and bibliography, and the author and date. This style is used primarily by historians, who place high importance on a text’s origin. The notes and bibliography include a superscript number with a corresponding footnote or endnote. Scientific professionals use the author and date citation, a generic parenthetical system with similarities to other citation styles. The CMS [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html” target=”_blank”]official website[/hen-ui-link] provides additional information, including changes to citation systems in the current edition.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Example:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Punishment, then, will tend to become the most hidden part of the penal process”.¹1. Michel Foucault, trans. Alan Sheridan, Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison (New York: Pantheon Books, 1977), 9.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″](Author and year of publication, page number)“Punishment, then, will tend to become the most hidden part of the penal process” (Foucault 1977, 9).[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Modern Language Association (MLA) Format”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]MLA format traces its history to 1951 when it was first published as a thin booklet. Today, MLA is the primary format used by academics and professionals in humanities, English, literature, media studies, and cultural studies. To adapt to the rapid growth of new mediums over the past few decades, MLA updates its citation system. Visit the [hen-ui-link href=”https://style.mla.org/” target=”_blank”]MLA Style Center[/hen-ui-link] for in-depth information on new guidelines and ongoing changes. In general, in text citations consist of author and page number, or just page number if the author’s name appears in the text.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Example:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″](Author and page number)“Punishment, then, will tend to become the most hidden part of the penal process” (Foucault 9).[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Associated Press (AP) Style”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Published in 1952, the original AP Stylebook was marketed to journalists and other professionals related to the Associated Press. AP now stands as the go-to style for professionals in business, public relations, media, mass communications, and journalism. AP style prioritizes brevity and accuracy. The style includes specific guidelines regarding technological terms, titles, locations, and abbreviations and acronyms. Unlike the previous styles, AP does not use parenthetical or in-text citations. Rather, writers cite sources directly in the prose. For more information, including style-checking tools and quizzes, visit the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.apstylebook.com/” target=”_blank”]Associated Press Stylebook[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Example:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In the book, “Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison,” first published in English in 1977, philosopher Michel Foucault argues that “Punishment, then, will tend to become the most hidden part of the penal process”.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Which Style Should Nursing Students Use?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because nurses rely on scientific terms and information, professionals in the field usually use APA style. Regardless of the purpose and specific genre of your text, you should always strive for concise, objective, and evidenced-based writing. You can expect to learn APA style as soon as you enroll in a major course. However, you should also prepare to learn other styles as part of your academic training. For example, freshman composition classes tend to focus on MLA guidelines.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Common Writing Mistakes Students Make[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Active Vs. Passive Voice[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Active and passive voice represent two different ways to present the same piece of information. Active voice focuses on the subject performing an action. For example, the dog bites the boy. This format creates clear, concise, and engaging writing. Using active voice, nurses might write, I administered patient care at 11:00. Passive voice, on the other hand, focuses on the object of the sentence or the action being performed. For example, the boy was bitten by the dog. A passive sentence is usually one that contains the verb “to be.” Using passive voice, you might write, patient care was administered at 11:00.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professionals in the sciences often use passive voice in their writing to create an objective tone and authorial distance. Passive voice can prioritize specific terms, actions, evidence, or research over the writer’s presence. Additionally, nurses use passive voice because it is usually clear that the reported thoughts, actions, and opinions come from them. However, you must also learn how to use active voice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Punctuation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are 14 punctuation marks in the English language, each with multiple and sometimes overlapping uses. Additionally, certain punctuation marks only make sense in highly specific and nuanced grammatical instances. To master punctuation, you must learn through practice, particularly by revising your own writing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, colons and semicolons are often used interchangeably, when they actually serve distinct purposes. Generally used before itemized lists, colons stand in for the phrases “here is what I mean” or “that is to say.” For example, I am bringing three things to the picnic: applesauce, napkins, and lemonade. Semicolons separate two independent clauses connected through topic or meaning. For example, It was below zero; Ricardo wondered if he would freeze to death. Comma splices, which create run on sentences, are another common mistake. You can identify a comma splice by learning the differences between an independent and dependent clause.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Grammar[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Grammar refers to the rules of a particular language system. Grammar determines how users can structure words and form sentences with coherent meaning. Aspects include syntax (the arrangement of words to convey their mutual relations in a sentence) and semantics (how individual words and word groups are understood). Unless you major in writing, literature, etymology, or another related field, you generally won’t examine English grammar deeply. Through years of cognitive development and practice, native users implicitly understand how to effectively employ the language.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Distinct grammatical systems exist for each language and, sometimes, even within a single language. For example, African American Vernacular English uses different syntactic rules than General American English. You should learn grammatical terms and definitions. Common errors include subject/verb agreement, sentence fragments, dangling modifiers, and vague or incorrect pronoun usage. Hasty writers can also misuse phonetically similar words (your/you’re, its/it’s, and there/their/they’re).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Writing Resources for Nursing Students[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Shrilekha Deshaies, MSN, RN” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale/v1629922631/experts/Shrilekha_Deshaies.jpg” img-alt=”Shrilekha Deshaies, MSN, RN” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrilekha-deshaies-57008133/” target=”_blank”]Shri Deshaies[/hen-ui-link] is a nurse educator with over 20 years of experience teaching in hospital, nursing school, and community settings. Deshaies’ clinical area of expertise is critical care nursing and she is a certified critical care nurse. She has worked in various surgical ICUs throughout her career, including cardiovascular, trauma, and neurosurgery.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Shri Deshaies is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]here[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Page last reviewed November 30, 2021[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]