Submissions

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Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.
  • Previous Publication- If the work has been previously published in whole or in part, list all of the locations (publications, online platforms etc.) where it can be identified in the author information document.
  • The submission file is in Microsoft Word .doc or .docx format. The manuscript is written in Times New Roman, font size 12. The Chart and graphic files can be in pdf and jpeg formats.
  • Manuscripts must be prepared in accordance with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition (2020). An online guide is available at https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format.
  • The text is single-spaced; uses a 12-point font; employs italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses); and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed in a separate file.
  • All file names should contain the manuscript title and date of submission only. File name protocol will be manuscript-title/MMDDYYYY.docx.
  • The text includes continous line numbers which can be added through the Page layout tab in Microsoft word.
  • All references in the reference list include hyperlinks to the original article.
  • The title page in the manuscript does NOT include author names. Author names should only be included on the separate author information document.

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 15th 

  • 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. 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

 

Copyright Notice

Authors submitting to the Online Journal of Nursing Workforce (OJNW) agree to the following terms:

  1. Copyright Ownership
    Authors retain the copyright to their work but grant OJNW the exclusive right of first publication.

  2. License to Publish
    By submitting a manuscript, authors grant OJNW a non-exclusive, worldwide license to reproduce, distribute, display, and store the work in print and electronic formats, including indexing and archiving services such as LOCKSS and CLOCKSS.

  3. Author Reuse
    After publication, authors may reuse their work in teaching, presentations, and future scholarly works (such as dissertations, book chapters, or compilations), provided they acknowledge the original publication in OJNW and include a full citation.

  4. Permissions for Third Parties
    Any further reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the published article by third parties requires written permission from OJNW.

  5. Originality and Exclusivity
    The submitted manuscript is the author’s original work and is not under consideration by any other journal. The manuscript will not be submitted to another publication until a decision is made by OJNW

Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in the Online Journal of Nursing Workforce (OJNW) site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of the journal. This includes:

  • managing manuscript submissions and peer review,

  • communicating with authors, reviewers, and editors,

  • sending notifications about journal updates or publication status, and

  • maintaining internal records required for editorial and publishing operations.

Personal information will not be shared with third parties, sold, or used for any other purpose without the user’s explicit consent, except as required by law.
User data may be stored on secure servers in the United States and may be archived in preservation networks such as LOCKSS and CLOCKSS to ensure long-term access to published content.

By using this site, users consent to the collection and use of their information as described above.