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NQP Considerations for final paper

Things to consider while preparing the final draft of your NQP: (In no particular order) Consider using as a checklist before submitting your final paper.

  • Introduction should introduce the paper, including why the interview was done, how assessment data will be organized throughout the paper, and who your interviewee is.
  • Conclusion should not only wrap the paper up but provide insights into what you learned in this process/assignment (this is the only place in the NQP where you can use first person ("I learned... this process taught me... now I understand...." et cetera.
  • Are my resident's risk factors clearly identified and are my interventions evidence based? (1 risk factor with 2 interventions for 3 FHPs)
  • References:
    • Are they peer reviewed?
    • Are they listed on a separate page, in alphabetical order, and in proper APA 7 format?
    • Are the references listed references used in the paper (in other words, if you did not cite an article/reference, it should not appear on your reference page)
    • Make sure appropriate capitalization is used! (article titles, etc. only first work is capitalized - see OWL or other APA 7 resource)
  • Citations: Did I use citations appropriately and according to APA 7? https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html Links to an external site.
  • If you are quoting your resident, it is understood that those are their words. Due to confidentiality, APA 7 guidelines for personal conversations will not be utilized in this paper.
  • The FHPs and other major sections of your paper should have Level 1 Headings. Level 2 Headings are acceptable as long as they are clear under the Level 1 Headings. Both Level 1 and 2 Headings should be bold! https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_headings_and_seriation.html Links to an external site.
  • If using Level 2 Headers - conclusion and other sections not included under that heading must be Level 1 Headings (e.g., Conclusion)
  •  Running Headers are no longer required under APA 7 (for student papers)
  • Quoting your most favorite nursing professor ever is okay assuming proper APA 7 citation/reference used
  • Make sure font is consistent (should be Times New Roman 12 point in body as well as headers, etc.) and must be black! (no other colors accepted)
  • When in doubt regarding formatting, refer to the sample paper in the NQP module (or ask me!)
  • The title of your paper should use appropriate capitalization
  • In general: Read your paper out loud slowly to ensure sentences and grammar are correct and the paper flows
  • Although hanging headers are technically allowed on an APA paper, they seem so lonely and make me sad. Only you can prevent hanging headers
  • Make sure only Level 1 Headers are centered (do not center references, for example) not including the title page