Official Journal of the American Academy of Nursing




Ranked 9th among 46 journals in the ISI Nursing Category, Journal Citation Reports® 2008, published by Thomson Reuters.

Editor
Marion E. Broome, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor and University Dean
School of Nursing, Indiana University
1111 Middle Dr., NU 132
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107
Tel: 317-274-1486
Fax: 317-278-1842
E-mail: mbroome@iupui.edu

Contact the editorial office at nursingoutlook@yahoo.com or refer to guidelines at http://ees.elsevier.com/ymno/ for complete instructions.

Nursing Outlook welcomes unsolicited manuscripts related to nursing education, practice, research or health care policy. The manuscript must be the sole intellectual property of authors of the paper. Once accepted, manuscripts become the permanent property of the Journal, and may not be reproduced elsewhere without written permission from the publisher.

Papers written to meet course requirements are not accepted unless they have been edited and conform to the mission and scope of Nursing Outlook. In general, single site, empirical research studies on clinical and educational topics are not a good fit with the editorial purpose of Nursing Outlook. These would include studies reporting small scale evaluations of a teaching strategy or intervention with a clinical population. In addition, pilot studies or those with small samples are generally not appropriate for publication in nursing outlook. If potential authors have a question about the potential fit email inquiries via the website are encouraged.

All manuscripts are accepted for publication with the understanding that they are contributed only to Nursing Outlook for consideration for publication. In accordance with the Copyright Act of 1976, all manuscripts must be accompanied by the following statement signed by all authors:

The undersigned authors transfer all copyright ownership of the manuscript (title of article) to Elsevier Inc., in the event the work is published or included in any product that may derive from the published journal, whether print or electronic media. The undersigned authors warrant that the article is original, is not under consideration by another journal, and has not been previously published.

Nursing Outlook uses a Web-based online manuscript submission and review system. Please visit http://ees.elsevier.com/ymno to submit your manuscript electronically. The website guides authors stepwise through the creation and uploading of the various files. Note that original source files, not PDF files, are required. Authors may send queries concerning the submission process manuscript status or journal procedures to the Editorial Office. Once the submission files are uploaded the system automatically generates electronic (PDF) proof, which is then used for reviewing. All correspondence, including the Editor's decision and request for revisions, will be by e-mail.

General requirements. Submit 1 copy of the manuscript and supporting materials (reference list, tables, figures, and figure legends) in electronic format to http://www.ees.elsevier.com/ymno/ . First time corresponding authors will need to register in the system to obtain a user ID and Password. If the corresponding author has previously registered in the system, they may proceed directly to submit paper to begin the submission process. Assistance with submitting manuscripts to the Web-based system may be obtained by contacting Dr. Julia Snethen, Assistant Editor at nursingoutlook@yahoo.com. A copyright release will be required at the time the manuscript is accepted for publication.

Number all pages of the manuscript (including reference list, tables, and figure legends) in the upper right-hand corner of the page, beginning with the title page.

The body of the manuscript and supporting materials should not contain any reference to identify the author(s).

All revisions will be submitted in the Web-based system at www.ees.elsevier.com/ymno/ with the user ID and Password assigned with the initial submission.

Title page. The title page should include the manuscript title and the full names of the authors, their highest earned academic degrees, and their institutional affiliations and status. The credential PhD (c) is not accepted as an appropriate credential. Give the complete mailing address, business and home telephone numbers, fax number, and e-mail address of the author to whom correspondence and galley proofs should be directed. If applicable, include a brief acknowledgment of grants or other financial assistance

Abstract . A structured abstract of approximately 150 words in length including the headers background, purpose, method, discussion, and conclusions or a summary abstract of approximately 150 words should be typed double-spaced on a separate sheet of paper after the title page.

Body of manuscript
• For all research studies a statement disclosing the approval from an independent ethics review committee must be included in the methods section. A copy of the IRB approval document may be requested prior to publication.
• Nursing Outlook follows the accepted norms for authorship found in the "Uniformed Requirements Submitted to Biomedical Journals" (see: www.Icmje.org).
• An acknowledgements section should include reference to any individual(s) who, while not be considered a primary author, did contribute to the manuscript.
• Reports of randomized controlled trials should follow guidelines established in the CONSORT statement (see: www.consort-statement.org/)

Length. Manuscripts should be no longer than 12 to 15 double-spaced typed pages except under unusual circumstances. Approximately 3.5 manuscript pages equal 1 journal page. . In some cases prior to publication decisions will be made by the editor to post some of the tables, figures and/or references in the online version of the issue.

References. References must be cited consecutively in the text as superscript numbers. A reference that is mentioned more than once in the text can be designated by the same superscript number. The reference list must be typed doublespaced in numeric order on a separate sheet at the end of the text. The format of the reference list should conform to that set forth in "Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals" (www.icmje.org).

Figures and legends.. Number figures consecutively in the order of text mention; all illustrations must be mentioned in text. Mark lightly in pencil on the back of each illustration the figure number and indicate the top. Do not send original artwork or x-ray films. Illustrations will be returned only if the author requests such at the time the manuscript is submitted. Special arrangements must be made with the publisher for color illustrations. Type legends double-spaced on a separate sheet of paper. Spell out in the legends any abbreviations used as labels on figures. If the figure is taken from previously published material, the legend must give full credit to the original source. Contact editorial office or refer to online information for authors for complete instructions regarding electronic submission of illustrations.

Tables. Number tables consecutively in the order of text mention; all tables must be mentioned in the text. Data appearing in tables should supplement, not duplicate, the text. Provide a brief title for each table, and provide a footnote to the table spelling out any abbreviations used therein. If the table is taken from previously published material, a footnoted must give full credit to the original source.

Send written permission of the copyright holder and author for any quotation, table, or figure taken from previously published material. Patient or guardian consent must accompany any photograph that shows a recognizable likeness of a person.