Biographical Sketches in APA format

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Students and former students who have used the APA format can perhaps help me with a question. I finished my major paper!!! YAY. This one requires a brief biographical schetch. I know what to include but as the writer of the paper do I used first person "I graduated from blah blah blah........"

Or do I say "Tweet, RN graduated from....blah blah blah"?

Thanks.

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Specializes in ER.

It's been a long time since I had to write anything like you mention, but I am sure you never use the first person. Do you have to use complete sentences? If not, then a simple "list" might work, otherwise maybe say.... "This RN did so and so, or the writer graduated with BSN from school of hard knocks, etc...Maybe someday, I will go back to school, but I am getting too old to put up with anymore BS than I have to!! Good luck!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
Or do I say "Tweet, RN graduated from....blah blah blah"?

That sounds so stiff, so formal! I'd ask the teacher. :)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

My instinct says to use the 3rd person. If the paper is formal (which it sounds like it is), then 1st person would be inappropriate.

If you don't have the opportunity to ask the teacher ... then err on the side of being conservative ... do the "polished professional" version similar to what you see in the top journals.

Congrats on getting the paper done! :-)

And on a personal note ... I've noticed several of your posts lately about going back to school, doing the RN to BSN thing, etc. and I have really appreciated the balanced approached you have taken. Sometimes those threads get too contentious. You seem to have a great, realistic attitude about it. I hope our "younger" members take your words to heart.

llg

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

Hi Tweety, I just happen to have my handy dandy APA manual in front of me (UGGGGGHHHHH)p34..."say only what needs to be said. Use short simple sentences..avoid colloquial expressions" It does say to use the personal pronouns when discussing research you've done. I am not able to find a specific biological note, but I would stay safe and use the 3rd person..Tweety, RN.....blah blah blha..Good luck with it!

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