Writing for Mental Health Nursing

Mental Health Nursing,  May 1999  

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The aims of Mental Health Nursing are to inform and stimulate learning and debate about mental health issues, to provide a rich source of papers and articles on professional issues and clinical practice in mental health nursing and allied disciplines, and to further the development of innovative and progressive mental health care.

Mental Health Nursing welcomes articles and professional papers on all subjects relating to mental health and mental health care, including psychiatric nursing theory, education and practice in the community setting.

Contributions are invited for any of the regular sections of the journal:

* professional papers - 3000 words maximum; can be descriptions of original research or study projects; academic papers addressing a professional, research, educational or practice issue; literature reviews covering published studies on a particular topic or topics. Professional papers should follow a structure of abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion. References should be given in full (see below)

* care studies - 2000-3000 words; descriptions of particularly challenging or unusual interventions with a particular client or group, including references to the theory underpinning practice. Care studies should follow a structure of synopsis, introduction, description of client and client's problem, intervention, outcome, analysis of reasons for success (or failure), conclusion and references a debate - 1000-2000 words; short opinion pieces, giving not necessarily balanced views on topics relating to mental health. Can be referenced

* book reviews - 500 words; reviews of books you have read which are relevant to or have influenced your thinking and practice

* short reports - 500 words; reports of conferences and other professional events of note which you may have attended.

We also welcome readers' letters, and information on forthcoming events of interest to our readership, for inclusion in the Grapevine section.

Authors submitting papers and reviews to the journal will receive an immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of the article, which will be submitted to one of our professional referees. If accepted for publication, papers will be published within one year of receipt. Authors may be asked to amend or expand their article. We try to give authors as much help as possible in presenting their work.

Authors should keep a copy of their article and, if possible, submit the article on a 3 1/2" floppy disk (see technical notes), together with two typed copies. Articles should be typed on one side of the paper only, using double-spacing with wide margins. References must be complete and accurate, and should be presented in the Vancouver style: author's name and initials; title of paper; title of journal and publication year; volume number; issue number; page numbers. Books should be referenced: author's name and initials; title of book; place of publication; publisher and year.

The editors reserve the right to edit and shorten articles where necessary. Major alterations will be made only in consultation with the author. Minor changes may be made in the final stages of production, when authors will not normally be consulted.

If you need any help with getting your project, research, ideas or opinion down on paper, the editorial staff and referees of Mental Health Nursing are very willing to help and advise. Ring Mental Health Nursing on 0171 717 4000.

Remember, it is in our interest to help you, so do not hesitate to ring for advice and information.

New writers

Mental Health Nursing is keen to encourage the development of new writers. The editor and members of the editorial board are happy to offer advice to anyone proposing an idea or submitting an article for consideration. This applies to all contributors but especially to those who have not written for publication before.

We aim to offer constructive feedback which we hope will encourage readers to write for the journaL So, if you are a potential author and have any questions or need any advice, please do not hesitate to contact the editor either by phone on the number above or in writing at the address given at the front of the journaL

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association May 1999
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