Question about a nursing topic for a paper

[ljneu]

I have to write a paper in APA format for my nusring class and my topic is..."If another nurse calls in should the nurse on duty have to stay and work that nurses shift?" I would really appreciate some feedback because this paper has to be written in third person. Thank You very much!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I suppose the real issue you are going to get involved with here is patient abandonment. So, that is probably where you should direct your search for information. Legally, it will be defined by the state nursing law. However, ethically, it's whatever your own opinion is.

[Rio, ASN, RN]

Do a lit search of Mandatory Overtime. Compare and contrast union versus non-union. Research your state nurses' association. They are likely to have a position paper published. Pt. care issues: overtired workers make more mistakes, look for supporting stats, it's out there. What alternatives are there to mandating staff ? Tiered approach, senority, float pool, agency help.

Moral conduct, not just the individual, but what is the institutional responsibility?

Good topic .. meaty...

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

What have you researched so far? Do you know the APA style or is that giving you difficulty?

[AuntieRN]

I don't mean to sound stupid, but what exactly is APA format? I have heard it mentioned for a couple years now but have no idea what it is. Is there somewhere that I can find it online? Guess I have just been lucky enough to not have to use it thus far. Thanks in advance for the explanation.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

There are two formatting styles that colleges generally want students to present their papers in: APA and MLA. APA stands for the American Psychological Association. MLA is the Modern Language Association. There are differences between the two as to how the typing, footnoting and bibliography, for example, are to be formatted.