How to Format a Nursing Article in MLA Style

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is commonly used in the humanities but can also be applied to writing in nursing and other healthcare disciplines. Formatting your nursing article in MLA style helps ensure clarity and uniformity in your work, allowing others to follow your argument or review your evidence with ease. Whether you’re writing a nursing research paper, case study, or literature review, proper MLA formatting is essential for academic credibility.

Below is a comprehensive guide on how to format a nursing article in MLA style, covering everything from page layout to citations.

1. General MLA Formatting Guidelines

Before diving into specific sections, ensure your article adheres to the following general formatting rules:

Font: Use a readable font like Times New Roman, size 12 pt.
Spacing: Double-space the entire document, including headings, citations, and references.
Margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides of the page.
Page Numbers: Number your pages in the upper right-hand corner, starting with the first page (do not include the title page if one is used).
Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch (use the Tab key).
Alignment: Align your text to the left, not justified.

2. Title Page (Optional)

In MLA style, a title page is generally not required. However, if your instructor or publication asks for it, format it as follows:

Title: The title should be centered, written in Title Case, and not bolded, underlined, or in italics.
Your Name: Under the title, include your full name.
Instructor Name: Below your name, include your instructor’s name (if required).
Course Name: List the name of your course or program (if applicable).
Date: Finally, include the date of submission.

Example:

3. Header and Pagination

Place your last name and page number in the upper right corner, half an inch from the top of the page and aligned to the right.
Use automatic pagination to ensure consistent formatting throughout your document.

Example header:

4. Writing the Content: Sections and Headings

In MLA, there are no specific rules for headings or subheadings. However, you can use them to organize your article into clearly defined sections. If you decide to use headings, keep them consistent in style and format (e.g., bold or italicize all section titles).

Example Sections:

Introduction: This section provides an overview of the nursing issue you are addressing, the relevance of the topic, and the objectives of your article.
Literature Review: Here, you analyze existing research studies related to your topic.
Methods: This section may include information about how data was collected or reviewed for your study or article.
Results/Discussion: Discuss findings or highlight important takeaways from the literature reviewed.
Conclusion: Summarize the key points and suggest recommendations for future research or practice.

5. In-Text Citations in MLA

In MLA format, in-text citations are parenthetical and provide brief information about the source (usually the author’s last name and page number).

Basic format: (Author’s Last Name Page Number)
Example: If you’re referencing a research article by Smith published in 2020, you would write:
- (Smith 23)

Examples:

Direct quote: “Effective nurse-patient communication is essential in improving patient outcomes” (Smith 23).
Paraphrasing: Effective nurse-patient communication plays a significant role in enhancing patient health (Smith 23).

If you’re using multiple authors, list up to three authors in the citation. For four or more authors, use “et al.”.

Example:

Two authors: (Smith and Johnson 45)
Three authors: (Smith, Johnson, and Lee 45)
Four or more authors: (Smith et al. 45)

6. Works Cited Page

Your Works Cited page should list all sources referenced in your article, formatted according to MLA style. The page should be separate from the rest of the article and placed at the end of the document.

Title: The title of this page should be “Works Cited”, centered at the top of the page (without quotation marks, italics, or bold).
Alphabetical Order: Entries should be arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name.
Hanging Indentation: The second and subsequent lines of each entry should be indented by half an inch.
Double-spacing: Like the rest of the document, your Works Cited page should be double-spaced.

Example Entries for a Nursing Article:

Book:
- Smith, John. The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care. Health Press, 2019.
Journal Article:
- Brown, Mary, et al. “Impact of Nurse-Patient Communication on Health Outcomes.” Journal of Nursing Practice, vol. 30, no. 4, 2021, pp. 221-230.
Website:
- American Nurses Association. “The Importance of Communication in Healthcare.” ANA, 2020, www.nursingworld.org.

7. Example of Full MLA Formatting

Here’s an example of a well-formatted MLA article structure:

First Page:

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Doe 1

Jane Doe

Nursing 650: Advanced Nursing Practice

Dr. John Smith

April 25, 2025
The Impact of Nurse-Patient Communication on Patient Outcomes

Effective nurse-patient communication has been shown to significantly improve patient satisfaction and outcomes (Smith 23). According to Brown et al., communication between nurses and patients is a key factor in promoting therapeutic relationships (Brown et al. 45). Furthermore, when nurses engage in empathetic listening, patients are more likely to adhere to prescribed treatments (Johnson 56).

Works Cited:

Conclusion

Writing a nursing article in MLA format is essential for ensuring clarity, consistency, and credibility in your work. By following the MLA guidelines for page setup, in-text citations, and the Works Cited page, you ensure that your work is academically sound and professionally presented. Whether you’re discussing nursing theories, clinical studies, or patient education strategies, adhering to MLA formatting will help make your article easy to read and reference.