Submissions

Author Guidelines

The Online Journal of Nursing Workforce (OJNW) is a peer-reviewed, subscription-based journal dedicated to nursing workforce research, health workforce policy, and evidence-based strategies that strengthen the nursing labor market.

All manuscripts must be explicitly related to the nursing workforce.

1. Submission and Review

• Exclusive Submission Method: All manuscripts must be submitted through the OJNW online submission portal on this site. Email submissions or other formats will not be accepted.

• Deadlines: Manuscripts are accepted on a rolling basis. Deadlines for specific issues are as follows:

  • October 15th 

  • March 31st
    
    

• Peer Review: All manuscripts undergo blind peer review by at least two experts.

• Timeline: Confirmation of receipt is typically sent within 24 hours, and a decision (accept, revise and resubmit, or reject) is issued within approximately 12 weeks of the submission deadline.

• Proofs: Page layouts are provided after review and copy-editing.

2. Manuscript Types

OJNW publishes three categories of manuscripts. Authors must select one of the following and follow the structure described in the detailed templates below:

1. Original Research Articles – Up to 7,500 words (excluding references); maximum of four exhibits (tables/figures).

   • Reports quantitative and/or qualitative studies examining phenomena affecting the nursing workforce.

2. Innovation Research / Policy Reports – Up to 7,500 words (excluding references); maximum of four exhibits.

   • Describes original approaches, program evaluations, or policy analyses addressing major nursing workforce challenges.

3. Program / Project Studies – Up to 4,500 words (excluding references); maximum of four exhibits.

   • Presents detailed narratives of interventions by educational institutions, regulatory bodies, or governmental/non-governmental organizations with implications for the nursing workforce.

3. General Preparation

• Style: Follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition (2020).

• Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) only. Times New Roman, 12-point font. 

• Line Numbering: Manuscripts must contain continuous line numbers. This can be set up in the Page Layout tab in Microsoft Word. 

• File Naming: Use manuscript-title/MMDDYYYY.docx (title and date only)

  Manuscript_whatever the title is/MMDDYYYY

  Tables_whatever the title is/MMDDYYYY

  AuthorInformation_whatever the title is/MMDDYYYY

• Language: All submissions must be in English.

4. Required Files

Upload the following as separate files through the submission portal:

a. Main Manuscript

• Remove all author-identifying information to ensure blind peer review. Do not include author names on the title page of the manuscript. 

b. Author Information Document
This is a separate document from the article text. This document Includes:

• Manuscript title

• Full names, credentials, institutional affiliations, and email addresses of all authors

• Corresponding author contact information

• Total word count (excluding title and references)

• Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval statement, if applicable

• Conflict of interest and funding disclosures

• Statement that the manuscript is not under review elsewhere and will not be submitted to another journal while under review

• Disclosure of any prior publication or presentation of the work

c. Supplementary Files (if applicable)

• Appendices, tables, and figures in one Word file. Titles must be descriptive, and abbreviations must be defined.

5. Graphics and Images

• Diagrams: Submit scalable vector graphics (.ai, .eps, .svg, or vector .pdf).

• Photographic Images: Provide high-resolution (300 ppi, RGB) .jpg or .tif files.

• Contact the editorial office for resolution questions.

6. Anonymity

Ensure no author-identifying information appears in the manuscript, appendices, tables, figures, or file metadata.

7. Copyright and Access

• Authors retain copyright and grant OJNW the right of first publication.

• All content is protected under standard copyright law.

• Full issues and individual articles are available by subscription or individual purchase. Abstracts remain freely accessible.

8. Archiving and Privacy

• OJNW participates in LOCKSS and CLOCKSS to ensure long-term digital preservation.

• Personal information entered in the journal site will be used solely for the stated purposes of the journal and will not be shared with third parties.

9. Use of Artificial Intelligence 

Overview

The Online Journal of Nursing Workforce supports responsible innovation while upholding the highest standards of scholarly integrity, transparency, equity, and accountability. Authors may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in limited, clearly defined ways, provided that such use is transparent and subject to full human oversight.

Authors are fully accountable for all submitted content, including any portion supported by AI tools.

Definition of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) includes computational systems capable of generating text, summaries, images, analyses, or other outputs based on training from large datasets (e.g., large language models, generative AI tools).

Authorship Requirements

• AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors.
• Authorship is limited to individuals who meet established scholarly authorship criteria, including responsibility for accuracy, originality, ethical compliance, and interpretation.
• The use of AI does not diminish or transfer author accountability.

Permitted Uses of AI

Authors may use AI tools for supportive, non-substantive purposes, including:

• Grammar and language editing
• Improving clarity and readability
• Summarizing author-written content for revision purposes
• Formatting references (with manual verification)

These uses must not replace scholarly reasoning, workforce analysis, or interpretive judgment.

Uses of AI That Require Disclosure

Authors must disclose AI use when tools are used for:

• Text generation beyond minor language editing
• Summarization of literature or policy documents
• Drafting tables, figures, or conceptual descriptions
• Assisting with qualitative data organization or thematic clustering

Disclosure must be transparent and specific (see Disclosure Statement below).

Prohibited Uses of AI

The following uses are not permitted:

• Generating original research data or workforce statistics
• Fabricating or altering references, citations, or sources
• Creating conclusions, policy recommendations, or leadership implications without human authorship
• Submitting AI-generated text without disclosure
• Using AI to misrepresent authorship, originality, or scholarly contribution

Required AI Disclosure Statement

When AI tools are used beyond basic spelling or grammar correction, authors must include an AI Disclosure Statement at the end of the manuscript.  

Required elements of disclosure:

• Name and version of the AI tool
• Purpose of use
• Statement of human review and responsibility

Example Disclosure Statement:

“The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI, version [month/year]) to assist with language refinement and summarization of author-generated text. All content was reviewed, verified, and finalized by the authors, who retain full responsibility for the manuscript.”

Failure to disclose applicable AI use may be treated as a violation of publication ethics.

Accuracy, Bias, and Equity Responsibilities

Because AI tools may reflect or amplify bias, authors must:

• Critically review AI-supported content for accuracy and fairness
• Ensure language and interpretations do not reinforce inequities in the nursing workforce related to role, race, gender, geography, licensure, or employment status
• Validate all workforce data, policy claims, and references against primary sources

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Authors must not:

• Upload confidential, proprietary, or identifiable data into public AI tools
• Use AI platforms in ways that compromise privacy, intellectual property, or data governance standards

Editorial Review and Compliance

• The editorial team may request clarification or documentation regarding AI use.
• Manuscripts may be rejected or returned for revision if AI use is inconsistent with these instructions.
• The journal reserves the right to update AI guidance as standards evolve.

AI Use Attestation (Required in author information document)

I attest that any use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of this manuscript complies with the journal’s AI policy. I have disclosed all substantive AI use within the manuscript, verified the accuracy of all content and references, and accept full responsibility for the work. No AI system is listed as an author.

_________________________________________________________________

10. Detailed Manuscript Structures

• Original Research Articles

1. Title Page- Include Title and Article Category (Original Research, Innovation Research/Policy or Project/Program Studies. Do NOT include author names on this page. 

2. Abstract (≤250 words, include purpose, background, methods, results, conclusion-in one paragraph with no headers)

3. Keywords (3–5)

4. Introduction

5. Literature Review

6. Methods

7. Results/Discussion

8. Conclusion/Implications

9. References (APA 7th format and include links to all original articles cited)

• Innovation Research / Policy Reports
  Follow the same structure as Original Research, with methods tailored to program or policy changes.

• Program / Project Studies

1. Title Page (Include Title and Article Category (Original Research, Innovation Research/Policy or Project/Program Studies) Do NOT include author names on this page. 

2. Abstract (≤250 words, purpose, background, methods/intervention, results, conclusion-in one paragraph with no headers)

3. Keywords (3–5)

4. Introduction

5. Intervention Development

6. Intervention Implementation

7. Outcomes and Evaluation

8. Lessons Learned

9. References (APA 7th)

Contact

Questions about submissions or formatting should be directed to:

Patricia Moulton Burwell, PhD
Managing Editor, Online Journal of Nursing Workforce
info@nursingworkforcecenters.org