Formatting programs for papers?

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Hi everyone- I am wanting to know who uses a formatting program for your APA papers, and which one/how much did you spend?

i have done a few classes in my program already, but i will be doing MANY more papers, and I already spend WAY too much time struggling with getting all the APA 'rules' met!

i am wondering if a formatting program would be helpful, and how exactly do they work?

thanks!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I used PERLLa software throughout grad school. I think it was $35. Saved my sizeable fanny multiple times!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I don't use any, formatting in APA is not really that difficult. I do use a reference generator that is attached to the school library, so it generates all the references for journal articles. Web page references for government sites are trivial to do as are books... Once you have done a couple, it takes a few seconds.

I have had several classmates that have tried some of the tools, all have been frustrated with how they don't get it quite right, and make it very difficult for the author to fix the paper, at least that is their complaint.

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To me it doesn't matter how good you are at APA formatting it still takes time away that could be better used in actually researching or writing the paper. I highly suggest PERRLA as well. I think mine cost me $50.00, but I have been using it for several years now and you can pay for lifetime updates ($14.95) that way you always have the latest version. It is way better than searching through the APA guide books. It sets up your title page, margins, spacing, font, and running head for you. All you do is start typing. You still have to be aware of APA rules like when it is okay to use numbers or when you need to write them out. It also won't let you know when you have accidentally used a contraction or wrote in first person, but it is great for setting up the paper and reference management.

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Yea..:) PERRLA is it! …..get it and you'll be glad you did... You just have to go through the installation process and how to use it and you are good to go.The amazing thing is that it stores your references so that you don't have to redo it again, you can just go to your saved reference list and pull whichever ones you need to reuse again. It's been a very time-saving and useful tool for me...

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I have perrla and meh, I just do it on my own. I think its easier. Just search owl purdue and is you can read you can do APA. They make it easy.

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It's terribly unfortunate that this is what nursing education has become. More like a laughable joke.

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Specializes in hospice.

PERLA has never let me down. The only time I had an instructor ding me for APA formatting was the time I got cocky and didn't bother with PERLA. It's well worth the investment.

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

PERRLA. Love it.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

PERRLA, and to the person who finds using technology laughable...good luck! I would rather spend my time in graduate school learning the material vs. counting spaces and setting up margins. $30 when I purchased it. I used the APA manual and OWL Purdue A LOT as well. For basic formatting PERRLA is a lifesaver!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
PERRLA, and to the person who finds using technology laughable...good luck! I would rather spend my time in graduate school learning the material vs. counting spaces and setting up margins. $30 when I purchased it. I used the APA manual and OWL Purdue A LOT as well. For basic formatting PERRLA is a lifesaver!

I'm with you. I'll focus on content and let PERRLA make sure it's presented properly.

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thanks everyone, looks like PERRLA wins it! i really appreciate the positive input.

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