Nursing Care of Children and Families
Official Journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses and the Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society (PENS)



The Journal of Pediatric Nursing: Nursing Care of Children and Families (JPN) is interested in publishing clinical, theory, programmatic and research papers on a variety of topics. JPN is the official journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses and Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society. Papers are published covering the life span from birth to adolescence. Subject matter pertinent to the nursing care needs of healthy and ill infants, children and adolescents addressing their biopsychosocial needs is disseminated in the Journal. In addition, the Journal features regular columns to which authors are encouraged to submit brief papers and announcements. These columns include Child Health Policy, International Pediatric Nursing, Child in the Community: Nursing Makes a Difference, Clinical Practice, SPN News and PENS News. Also, as a special feature, selected articles exemplifying timely topics are published as an Editor's Choice selection. Cecily L. Betz, PhD, RN, FAAN is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief and Maura MacPhee, PhD, RN is the Associate Editor.

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE

Authors are encouraged to contact the Editor either by phone, in writing, or via email to discuss potential ideas/articles for submission. Correspondence via email is preferred. Dr. Betz can be contacted via cbetz@chla.usc.edu or via the JPN website.

Feedback and advice about the topic and its development will be provided. It is important to note that the Journal has a strong commitment to assisting first time authors in developing publishable papers. Therefore, prospective writers are encouraged to contact the Editor-in-Chief directly to seek additional assistance and encouragement to facilitate their publishing goal.

THE REVIEW PROCESS

This is a referred journal. All manuscripts received by the Editor-in-Chief and sent to reviewers are treated as privileged communication. Manuscripts are submitted electronically via the JPN website, http://ees.elsevier.com/jpediatrnurs/ . Manuscripts will be assigned to reviewers for blind review. Generally, manuscripts are sent to two review experts. The original review team reviews manuscripts requiring revisions to ensure consistency. Scoring guides used by the reviewers for clinical, theoretical, and review research papers are available from the Editor-in-Chief upon request.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION

The text and reference of the manuscript must conform in style to the American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines 5th Edition. The information required for the electronic submission is detailed below:

1) Title Page: The following information should appear on the title page: a) title of the manuscript; b) author (s) name (s) with highest degree earned; c) position title; d) institutional affiliation (s); e) institutional addresses; f) email address, telephone and fax number of corresponding author; g) acknowledgement of extramural funding; h) identification of previous presentation (s) of paper to include meeting name, date and location; and h) any commercial financial support.
2) Article Type: Identify type of article that is to be submitted: research paper, clinical article, review/theoretical, column, letter to the editor
3) Author Information: Insert information on corresponding author and remaining authors as well as academic degrees, institutional affiliations and email addresses.
4) Abstract: Approximately 50 to 100 words in length, which is typed directly/pasted as a separate file. Abstract is to conform to the APA 5th edition guidelines.
5) Manuscript Classification: Identify the manuscript's topical area by selecting one or more classifications from the list.
6) Comments: Enter comments that are to be directed to the Editor-in-Chief/Associate Editor/Column Editors.
7) Cover Letter: Submit as a separate file to the editor the following:, the title of the paper, contact information for the corresponding author, disclosure of information if any previous presentations of data have been given, the manuscript is not being currently reviewed by another journal, other manuscripts with related data currently submitted to other journals, and disclosure of financial interests.
8) Manuscript Text: Submit as a separate file. The manuscript narrative format should conform to the APA 5th edition guidelines. The manuscript should include page numbers but no personal identification of the author. There is not a fixed limit to manuscript length; however, it is essential that it be appropriate for the manuscript type and succinct in presentation. Manuscript pages should be double spaced
9) Tables and Figures: These are submitted as separate files. Tables and Figures should be complementary and not duplicative of the manuscript narrative. Format tables using APA 5th edition guidelines.
10) Artwork/Photographs: Refer directly to the "Author Artwork Guidelines" on the website.



Updated April 2009