How to Reference Your Nursing Assignment Properly (APA, MLA, Harvard)

Nursing Assignment

Proper referencing is an essential skill in academic writing, particularly in nursing assignments. Referencing not only acknowledges the original authors of ideas and research but also strengthens the credibility of your work. Three commonly used referencing styles in nursing and healthcare disciplines are APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and Harvard referencing. Each style has unique formatting rules that dictate how citations and references should appear within a document. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to properly reference your nursing assignment using APA, MLA, and Harvard styles.

Table of Contents

Why is Referencing Important in Nursing Assignments?

Avoids Plagiarism – Proper referencing gives credit to the original sources of information, preventing academic dishonesty.
Enhances Credibility – Citing sources strengthens the validity of your arguments and research.
Supports Further Research – Proper citations allow readers to locate and verify the sources you have used.
Demonstrates Academic Integrity – Correct referencing showcases adherence to academic writing standards and professionalism.

APA Referencing Style (7th Edition)

In-text Citations in APA

APA style uses the author-date citation method.

For one author: (Smith, 2020) or Smith (2020) states that…
For two authors: (Johnson & Lee, 2021)
For three or more authors: (Brown et al., 2019)
For direct quotations: (Williams, 2022, p. 45)

Reference List Formatting in APA

References should be listed alphabetically on a new page titled “References.”

Example References:

Book: Smith, J. (2020). Fundamentals of Nursing Practice. Elsevier.
Journal Article: Johnson, L., & Lee, M. (2021). The role of evidence-based practice in nursing. Journal of Nursing Research, 34(2), 123-135. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Website: American Nurses Association. (2022). Nursing code of ethics. https://www.nursingethics.org

MLA Referencing Style (9th Edition)

In-text Citations in MLA

MLA style primarily uses the author-page format.

For one author: (Smith 45) or According to Smith (45)…
For two authors: (Johnson and Lee 78)
For three or more authors: (Brown et al. 112)
For direct quotations: (Williams 56)

Works Cited Formatting in MLA

MLA requires a “Works Cited” page where all sources are listed alphabetically.

Example References:

Book: Smith, John. Fundamentals of Nursing Practice. Elsevier, 2020.
Journal Article: Johnson, Laura, and Mark Lee. “The Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing.” Journal of Nursing Research, vol. 34, no. 2, 2021, pp. 123-135.
Website: American Nurses Association. “Nursing Code of Ethics.” Nursing Ethics, 2022, www.nursingethics.org.

Harvard Referencing Style

In-text Citations in Harvard

Harvard uses an author-date citation system, similar to APA but with slight differences.

For one author: (Smith, 2020) or Smith (2020) argues…
For two authors: (Johnson & Lee, 2021)
For three or more authors: (Brown et al., 2019)
For direct quotations: (Williams, 2022, p. 45)

Reference List Formatting in Harvard

Harvard-style references are listed under “References” or “Bibliography.”

Example References:

Book: Smith, J. (2020) Fundamentals of Nursing Practice. Elsevier.
Journal Article: Johnson, L. & Lee, M. (2021) ‘The role of evidence-based practice in nursing’, Journal of Nursing Research, 34(2), pp. 123-135. Available at: https://doi.org/xxxxx.
Website: American Nurses Association (2022) Nursing code of ethics. Available at: www.nursingethics.org.

Key Differences Between APA, MLA, and Harvard Referencing Styles

Feature	APA (7th Edition)	MLA (9th Edition)	Harvard
In-text Citation	(Smith, 2020)	(Smith 45)	(Smith, 2020)
Reference Page Title	References	Works Cited	References/Bibliography
Author Names	Last name, Initial(s)	Last name, First name	Last name, Initial(s)
Date Placement	After Author’s Name	End of Citation	After Author’s Name
Journal Citation	Journal Name, vol. X, no. Y, pp. Z	Journal Name, vol. X, no. Y, year, pp. Z.	Journal Name, X(Y), pp. Z.

Nursing Assignment

Tips for Proper Referencing in Nursing Assignments

Use Citation Tools – Utilize tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote to manage references easily.
Check University Guidelines – Some institutions may have specific referencing rules.
Be Consistent – Stick to one referencing style throughout your assignment.
Always Double-check – Verify citations with the latest edition of referencing guidelines.
Include DOIs or URLs – For online sources, always include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL where applicable.

Conclusion

Proper referencing is crucial in nursing assignments as it enhances academic credibility, avoids plagiarism, and supports further research. Whether using APA, MLA, or Harvard style, it is important to follow the correct formatting rules for in-text citations and reference lists. Mastering these referencing techniques will improve your academic writing skills and set a strong foundation for professional nursing research.

By adhering to proper referencing guidelines, you ensure your nursing assignments are well-structured, academically sound, and meet institutional standard.