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Welcome to the open course "Writing for Professional Journals.” The content of this course is open to the public and is licensed under Creative Commons. Patricia Gonce Morton, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FAAN, University of Utah College of Nursing Dean Emeritus, authored the content as part of a grant provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) while participating in the RWJF Executive Nurse Fellow program. The “Writing for Professional Journals” course can be used by an individual learner or can be adapted in any way for a course in a college’s program of study. The course also may be helpful to practicing nurses in a professional development program. The course content includes twelve modules. Each module has accompanying video instruction, PowerPoint slides, reflection assignments, activity log workbook assignments, and suggested reading lists.
Objectives
This course will address the following and help learners:
- Describe the key steps in planning and writing a manuscript
- Analyze the steps in the process of writing and publishing in professional journals
- Engage in a topic of interest that has potential for publication
- Implement strategies to increase chances of acceptance of a manuscript for publication
- Describe how to respond to an editor’s decision about the manuscript
- Express a positive attitude toward publishing in professional journals
Enroll in the Course
If you have not enrolled in the course itself, please find the course in Canvas Catalog and create your account.
Lectures
All the course lectures can be found in the course modules and are hosted by YouTube. The course also contains two podcasts in module 3 featuring Bill O'Conner, Managing Editor and Mary Fran Tracy, Journal Editor.
All the lecture content follows the outline of this PowerPoint presentation Download PowerPoint presentation.
Assignments
Each module will refer to a course activity log workbook or reflection assignment. Both are designed to help learners understand and prepare for the journal writing process. You will need to download each of these word documents and fill them out as you progress through the course. The modules will reference which assignments to complete and the corresponding page number. Click on the links below to download.
Activity Log Workbook Download Activity Log Workbook - The required steps and explanations of the journal writing process.
Activity Log Workbook (Module 12) Download Activity Log Workbook (Module 12) - The required steps and explanations for reviewing manuscripts.
Reflection Assignments Download Reflection Assignments - The reflection assignments are designed to help you express your ideas and thoughts after reading and hearing from experienced authors about the journal writing process.
Course Resources List - Download a complete list of websites and readings for modules 1-11 Download modules 1-11. Readings for module 12 Download module 12.
Begin Course Content
Overview:
Module 1: Course Orientation
Module 2: Facing Excuses: Why We Don’t Write for a Professional Journal
Module 3: Understanding the Journal Publishing Process
Module 4: Getting Started: Writing Strategies
Module 5: Selecting and Focusing a Topic for Publication
Module 6: Preparing the Outline and Choosing the Manuscript Format
Module 7: Picking a Journal for the Manuscript
Module 8: Determining Authorship and Writing a Query Letter
Module 9: Making Time to Write and Avoiding Writer’s Block
Module 10: Writing the First Draft and Submitting to the Editor
Module 11: Responding to Feedback from the Editor
Module 12: Reviewing Manuscripts for Publication
As mentioned, the course content is open and available for use. If you wish to use this as part of another course at a college or university you can download the course export package to integrate with your school's learning management system.
Click the Modules link at the left.