APA format - hard to crack!

Published

In graduate schools, the use of APA format is a terror that needs to be learned and used frequently. Everything is APA! Well, i learned about PERRLA APA programs. If you can use it, that would help you ALOOOT!

Specializes in ICU, Allergy/Asthma, and Primary Care.

It has been over 5 years since my undergrad. The idea of APA format is a little daunting to say the least. I am applying to Grad school and would like to know of some good websites that simplify and break down APA format? I need a refresher! Thanks!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma 4yr Flight 8mn.

Purdue owl website

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

I have been using PERRLA for years. I know how to do APA and I can certainly check the book if I get stuck. Using something like PERRLA isn't dishonest or cheating or anything like that...but it is a time saver. So even though I know APA...I'm still using PERRLA because my time is valuable and this saves me time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Internal Medicine.

The first day of my graduate nursing orientation the school recommended we get PERRLA or something similar to help us with APA. To use the program you still have to have an understanding of APA, and it really is a big time saver. I can't imagine a school claiming academic dishonesty for using a software program that helps you put your paper in a proper format. It's not like it's writing the paper for you. It's also not like after you graduate, the rope is cut out from under you and you can never use the software again. Even the professor that teaches APA format to the undergrads uses the software for her scholarly work. Why waste time looking things up in an APA manual and stressing about a format when you can be focused on the actual content and delivery of your work?

Even though I was comfortable with APA format before starting grad school, getting PERRLA has been the single best investment ($35) I have made since starting, it has saved me lots of time, and I have yet to get a single point deducted for APA format on any of my paperwork.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Internal Medicine.
It is much better to learn APA than to rely on a program to do it for you. It's not that hard. Many programs are banning the use if such software.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Would love to know which programs these are if there really are "many" of them. My University straight out recommended we purchase PERRLA or a similar program during our graduate orientation, and even had someone from the school library show us a little demo. Three of my coworkers, all at different schools also use the software, and they too were encouraged to get an APA format aid.

In reality, what good does learning all the nuances of APA format do for you in the real world? Why is it so much better to learn APA format? Unless you remain in academia, you likely will never use the information again, and even then there's nothing stopping you from continuing to use the software. I went 6 years between undergrad to grad school, and never once in all that time needed an ounce of information about APA format. I expect once I complete my FNP education next year, I similarly will never need APA format again. To me, unless you know APA like the back of your hand from memory already, software programs like PERRLA are a godsend, and make something that can add stress to an already stressful process (paper writing), and make it an afterthought. You're right in that APA format isn't that hard, but it is time consuming, especially in graduate school where sources of information come from a variety of formats, and you often will be citing dozens of references. I'd rather save my time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CCL, Tele, Some Management, TNCC.

8 years since I graduated with my BSN-- I bought the APA book already to figure it out, it's foreign to me hah! Also my univ provides a site to submit papers to for review before due date, so I will utilize that a lot ;) I hope I can regain the momentum of using APA

thanks! ~b. Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Nursing Education, Primary Care.

The owl site is great. I agree that using APA more and more helps it not seem scary. What I have found even with the sites that let you create citations the formatting is often wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU & LTAC as RN. FNP.

The PERRLA software helped tremendously. It kept a file of every reference I used, so it was easy to reference that again. I still had to use the APA book alot because the software didn't do everything, but it sure beat the microsoft APA template. Use it if at all possible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree!! It was extremely useful!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

A big problem with APA is that different instructors have their idiosyncrasies about references and title page. They are just a little different and you have to roll with the punches. Some want their name on the front page, some don't. Some want retrieval dates for web sources and some don't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, ICU.
Would love to know which programs these are if there really are "many" of them. My University straight out recommended we purchase PERRLA or a similar program during our graduate orientation and even had someone from the school library show us a little demo. Three of my coworkers, all at different schools also use the software, and they too were encouraged to get an APA format aid. In reality, what good does learning all the nuances of APA format do for you in the real world? Why is it so much better to learn APA format? Unless you remain in academia, you likely will never use the information again, and even then there's nothing stopping you from continuing to use the software. I went 6 years between undergrad to grad school, and never once in all that time needed an ounce of information about APA format. I expect once I complete my FNP education next year, I similarly will never need APA format again. To me, unless you know APA like the back of your hand from memory already, software programs like PERRLA are a godsend, and make something that can add stress to an already stressful process (paper writing), and make it an afterthought. You're right in that APA format isn't that hard, but it is time consuming, especially in graduate school where sources of information come from a variety of formats, and you often will be citing dozens of references. I'd rather save my time.[/quote']

I agree with you, APA is only valuable if you will be publishing in nursing.

My program and 2 others that I know of from friends in graduate programs forbid the use of software like PERRLA. The reasoning behind it is that at times these programs are wrong and a person who is relying on it won't know when there is an error. So it kind of becomes double work.

But I get it. It can be a useful aid.

For me, APA is a grounding format. I love it and yes, I am an expert on it. I find it much easier to start writing when I know how it needs to look and fit. But, again, that's my opinion and it has a lot to do with the fact that I am a visual learner. And order is my peaceful place ;-)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute care pediatrics, mother/Baby.

My advisor recommended PERRLA as a help, but wants us to know APA format. As a returning student 18 years after getting my BSN, APA format in no way resembles what it was back in the day! ;o) Learning how to cite online references was an eye-opening experience with my APA book open in my lap and an example-paper provided by my instructor. Using PERRLA was like having a workbook where I could self-check and besides, it's not a cure-all, there are little quirks and problems I have to hand correct.

The biggest advantage I've found to using PERRLA is that is stores your references--several times I've needed to re-use a resource and it was a snap and my little organized heart sings with joy when things are where they're supposed to be.

Obviously, if your school bans its use, then by all means--don't use it--but I found it to be the bridge from impossible (dinosaur APA education, remember) to do-able.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion