Common APA 7 Mistakes in Nursing Papers (and How to Avoid Them)

Introduction: Why APA 7 Mistakes Cost Nursing Students Dear

You’ve spent hours researching, writing, and revising your nursing paper. You’re confident in your clinical reasoning and evidence-based arguments. Then your grade comes back—a B instead of an A. The feedback? “Multiple APA formatting errors.”

Does this sound familiar? You’re not alone. A study assessing 70 students’ knowledge of APA 7th found widespread difficulties in correctly applying the style. Many nursing programs use a point deduction system for APA errors. According to Campbellville University’s School of Nursing, a single APA error can cost students 4 points on a 50-point assignment, and multiple errors can quickly drop a grade from A to B or C.

The good news is that most APA 7 mistakes are avoidable. This guide identifies the most common APA 7 mistakes in nursing papers and provides clear, actionable solutions. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to check before hitting submit.

Why APA 7 Matters in Nursing Writing

In nursing education, APA style is not just about formatting. It ensures:
● Clear and professional academic communication
● Proper credit to evidence-based sources
● Consistency across scholarly nursing work
● Preparation for graduate-level and clinical documentation
Even strong clinical knowledge can appear weak if APA formatting is incorrect.

You’ve spent hours researching, writing, and revising your nursing paper. You’re confident in your clinical reasoning and evidence-based arguments. Then your grade comes back—a B instead of an A. The feedback? “Multiple APA formatting errors.”

Does this sound familiar? You’re not alone. A study assessing 70 students’ knowledge of APA 7th found widespread difficulties in applying the style correctly. Many nursing programs use a point deduction system for APA errors. According to Campbellville University’s School of Nursing, a single APA error can cost students 4 points on a 50-point assignment, with multiple errors quickly dropping a grade from A to B or C.

The good news is that most APA 7 mistakes are avoidable. This guide identifies the most common APA 7 mistakes in nursing papers and provides clear, actionable solutions. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to check before hitting submit.

Section 1: Title Page Errors

Your title page creates the first impression. Mistakes here signal carelessness before your professor reads a single word of content.

Mistake 1: Using a Running Head When Not Required

The Problem: Many students still include a running head because they learned APA 6th edition. In APA 7, running heads are only required for professional papers (those submitted for publication). Student papers do not need running heads unless specifically requested by the instructor.

The Fix: For student papers, include only the page number in the header, flush right. No “Running head:” label. If your instructor requires a running head, format it as an abbreviated title in all caps, flush left.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Title Formatting

The Problem: Titles are not bolded, not centered, or use incorrect capitalization.

The Fix:

• Center the title in the upper half of the page (3-4 lines down from the top margin)

• Use bold font

• Use title case (capitalize all major words of four or more letters)

• Double-space the title

• Times New Roman 12 pt. font (or other approved fonts)

Mistake 3: Including Credentials After Your Name

The Problem: Students add “RN, BSN” or other credentials after their name.

The Fix: Do not include credentials. Your name appears as: “Jane Smith” (not “Jane Smith, RN, BSN”).

Mistake 4: Missing or Incorrect Institutional Affiliation

The Problem: The institution name is missing, abbreviated, or incorrectly formatted.

The Fix: Include the full institutional affiliation, double-spaced under your name. Example: “School of Nursing, Campbellville University”.

Section 2: Formatting and Spacing Errors

Mistake 5: Incorrect Margins and Spacing

The Problem: Papers have inconsistent margins or are not double-spaced throughout.

The Fix:

• Use 1-inch margins on all sides

• Double-space the entire paper, including the title page, abstract, body, references, and block quotes

• Do not add extra spaces between paragraphs

• The first line of each paragraph should be indented 0.5 inches using the Tab key

Mistake 6: Inconsistent Font Usage

The Problem: Mixing different fonts or font sizes within the same paper.

The Fix: Choose one accessible font and use it consistently throughout:

• 12-point Times New Roman

• 11-point Calibri

• 11-point Arial

• 11-point Georgia

Mistake 7: Incorrect Page Numbering

The Problem: Missing page numbers or incorrect placement.

The Fix: Insert page numbers flush right in the header of every page, starting with page 1 on the title page.

Section 3: In-Text Citation Errors

In-text citations are where many nursing students lose the most points.

Mistake 8: Missing Page Numbers for Direct Quotes

The Problem: Including a direct quote without a page number or paragraph number.

The Fix: Every direct quote must include a page number (preceded by “p.”) or paragraph number (preceded by “para.”) if the source has no page numbers.

• Correct: (Smith, 2020, p. 25)

• Correct for web sources: (Smith, 2020, para. 4)

Mistake 9: Misusing “et al.”

The Problem: Using “et al.” incorrectly, especially for works with three or more authors.

The Fix: In APA 7, for works with three or more authors, use “et al.” after the first author’s name in every citation (including the first).

• Correct: (Smith et al., 2020)

• Incorrect: (Smith, Jones, & Williams, 2020) — this format is only for two authors

Mistake 10: Incorrect Placement of Periods

The Problem: Placing periods before the citation instead of after.

The Fix: The period at the end of a sentence comes after the parenthetical citation.

• Correct: This is an example (Smith, 2020).

• Incorrect: This is an example. (Smith, 2020)

Mistake 11: Using Ampersand Incorrectly in Narrative Citations

The Problem: Using “&” instead of “and” in narrative citations.

The Fix: In narrative citations (where the author name is part of the sentence), use “and.” Use “&” only in parenthetical citations.

• Correct narrative: Smith and Jones (2020) found…

• Correct parenthetical: (Smith & Jones, 2020)

Mistake 12: Missing or Mismatched Citations

The Problem: Every source in the References list must be cited in the text, and every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference. Works consulted but not directly cited do not belong on the reference list.

The Fix: Use Ctrl+F to find all citations and verify each has a matching reference.

Mistake 13: Overusing Direct Quotes

The Problem: Papers filled with long direct quotes instead of paraphrasing.

The Fix: APA prefers paraphrasing over direct quotes. Use direct quotes only when the original wording is particularly powerful or precise. Nursing professors are interested in what you have to say—if your paper is full of quotes, they may believe you have nothing to add. Aim for two or fewer direct quotes for most assignments.

Section 4: Reference List Errors

The reference list is notoriously difficult, but it follows clear rules.

Mistake 14: Incorrect Hanging Indent

The Problem: References are not formatted with a hanging indent.

The Fix: Each reference should use a hanging indent—the first line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches. In Microsoft Word, highlight the references and press Ctrl+T.

Mistake 15: Improper Capitalization in Titles

The Problem: Using title case for article and book titles.

The Fix: In APA 7, article and book titles use sentence case—only the first word, any proper nouns, and the first word after a colon are capitalized.

• Correct: “The psychology of learning: A new approach”

• Incorrect: “The Psychology of Learning: A New Approach”

However, journal titles use title case and are italicized.

Mistake 16: Incorrect DOI Formatting

The Problem: Using outdated DOI formats or including the “DOI:” prefix.

The Fix: Format DOIs as https://doi.org/xxxx (not “DOI: xxxx”). DOIs should not have a period after them.

Mistake 17: Forgetting the Issue Number

The Problem: Including only the volume number without the issue number.

The Fix: Always include the issue number in parentheses for journal articles.

• Correct: Journal of Nursing, 15(3), 45-67.

• Incorrect: Journal of Nursing, 15, 45-67.

Mistake 18: Including Author Credentials

The Problem: Adding degrees or credentials after author names.

The Fix: Do not include author credentials (e.g., PhD, RN) in reference entries.

Mistake 19: Incorrect Author Formatting

The Problem: Not including middle initials or incorrectly formatting names.

The Fix: Format authors as last name, first initial, middle initial(s). Include middle initials when provided. Use a comma between authors and an ampersand before the final author.

Mistake 20: Using “et al.” in References

The Problem: Including “et al.” in the reference list.

The Fix: Never use “et al.” in reference entries. List all authors up to 20.

Mistake 21: Missing Publisher Information for Books

The Problem: Not including the publisher name for books.

The Fix: Include the publisher name (not italicized, not followed by a period).

Section 5: Grammar and Writing Style Errors

Mistake 22: Vague Pronoun References

The Problem: Using vague pronouns like “this,” “that,” “it,” “they,” “them” without clear antecedents.

The Fix: Always specify what a pronoun refers to.

• Vague: “This is good.” (What is good?)

• Clear: “This intervention is good.”

Mistake 23: Inconsistent Verb Tense

The Problem: Switching tenses within the same paper.

The Fix: Use the past tense or the present perfect when discussing past research.

• Correct: “Smith (2020) found…”

• Correct: “Researchers have demonstrated…”

Mistake 24: Bias-Free Language Errors

The Problem: Using outdated or stigmatizing language.

The Fix: APA 7 emphasizes bias-free language.

• Use “people with disabilities,” not “the disabled”

• Use “people with schizophrenia,” not “schizophrenics”

• Use preferred identifiers for all groups

Mistake 25: Overusing or Misusing First-Person Pronouns

The Problem: Either avoiding first-person entirely or overusing it.

The Fix: APA 7 allows first-person pronouns (“I,” “we”) in scholarly writing. Use them when referring to your own research or actions, but avoid overuse.

Mistake 26: Using the Title of the Reviewed Article in the Paper

The Problem: Starting with “In the research article, Nursing Students and the Geriatric Population…”

The Fix: Use the researcher’s last name instead.

• Correct: “Smith (2020) analyzed…”

Section 6: How to Catch APA Errors Before Submission

Create a Personal APA Checklist

Based on Campbellville University’s nursing handbook, use this checklist before submitting:

Title Page

• No running head (unless required)
• Page number 1 in header
• Title bold, centered, title case
• No credentials after name
• Institutional affiliation included
• Course number and name included
• Instructor name and due date included

Formatting

• 1-inch margins on all sides
• Double-spaced throughout
• Consistent font (Times New Roman 12 or Calibri 11)
• Paragraphs indented 0.5 inches
• Page numbers on every page

In-Text Citations

• Every citation has a corresponding reference
• Page numbers for all direct quotes
• “et al.” correctly used for 3+ authors
• Periods placed after citations
• “and” in narrative, “&” in parenthetical

References

• Hanging indent applied
• Alphabetical order
• Article titles in sentence case
• Journal titles in title case and italicized
• DOIs formatted as https://doi.org/xxxx
• Issue numbers included
• No author credentials
• No “et al.” in references

Writing Style

• No vague pronouns without antecedents
• Consistent verb tense
• Bias-free language used
• Minimal direct quotes (2 or fewer)
• References less than 5 years old

Use Available Tools

• APA Style website: Official guides and tutorials
• Hemingway Editor: Highlights common writing errors
• Citation managers: Zotero, EndNote (but always double-check accuracy)
• Microsoft Word’s built-in APA template: Helps with basic formatting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does APA 7 require a running head for student papers?

No. Running heads are only required for professional papers submitted for publication. Student papers include only the page number in the header. However, always check with your instructor, as some programs may still require them.

2. How do I format a direct quote in APA 7?

Include the author’s last name, year of publication, and the page number preceded by “p.” For example: (Smith, 2020, p. 25). For sources without page numbers, use a paragraph number: (Smith, 2020, para. 4).

3. When do I use “et al.” in APA 7?

For works with three or more authors, use “et al.” after the first author’s name in every citation (including the first). For example: (Smith et al., 2020).

4. How do I create a hanging indent in Word?

Highlight your references, then press Ctrl+T (Windows) or Command+T (Mac). Alternatively, right-click, select Paragraph, choose “Hanging” under Special Indent, and set it to 0.5 inches.

5. What’s the difference between sentence case and title case?

Sentence case: Only the first word, proper nouns, and the first word after a colon are capitalized. Used for article and book titles. Title case: All major words are capitalized. Used for journal titles.

6. Do I need to include the issue number for journal articles?

Yes. APA 7 requires including the issue number in parentheses after the volume number. For example: Journal of Nursing, 15(3), 45-67.

7. Can I use “I” in a nursing paper?

Yes. APA 7 allows first-person pronouns (“I,” “we”) in scholarly writing. Use them when referring to your own research, actions, or perspectives.

8. How do I cite a source with no author?

Use the title in place of the author. For in-text citations, use the first few words of the title in quotation marks. In the reference list, alphabetize by the first significant word of the title.

9. How recent should my references be?

Nursing papers typically require references that are 5 years old or less. Older sources may be used only for seminal works or historical context.

10. Where can I find official APA 7 guidance?

The official APA Style website (apastyle.apa.org) provides comprehensive guides, tutorials, and examples. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) is the definitive source.

Master APA 7 and Boost Your Grades

APA 7 formatting may seem tedious, but it’s a critical skill for nursing students. Proper formatting demonstrates professionalism, attention to detail, and respect for academic standards. Conversely, common APA 7 mistakes in nursing papers can cost you significant grade points—potentially dropping you from an A to a B or C.

Mastering APA 7 is essential for success in nursing education. Most grading deductions come from formatting errors—not lack of knowledge. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can significantly improve the clarity, professionalism, and academic strength of your nursing papers.

If you consistently apply APA 7 rules, your assignments will not only meet academic standards but also prepare you for evidence-based nursing practice and graduate-level writing.

By understanding and avoiding the errors outlined in this guide—from title page mistakes to reference list errors—you can submit papers that meet the highest academic standards. Use the checklist provided, proofread carefully, and don’t hesitate to consult official APA resources when in doubt.

If you need additional support with APA formatting, citation management, or paper editing, our team of experienced nursing writing experts is Nursing Academic Writing Services to help.