Here's a philosophical (sort of, in a nerdy kind of way) question I get asked a lot: Why use APA in schools of nursing? My answer: Because I said so.

Just kidding. Believe it or not, there are some good reasons to insist that professional nurses learn to use the APA style of writing. First, when you communicate well in writing you signal the world that you are a professional. Conversely, when your written communication is sloppy you are telling the world that you are either not too bright or you just don't care. Is that the impression you want to give people as you try to enhance your career?

APA style is an excellent, clear, standardized way of writing, formatting, and referencing works. By having a standard that we all adhere to, we make things easier in the long run. I don't have to make decisions about how I will format my paper. Will I double space? What margins will I use? What information will I include in the references? All that has been decided by a panel of experts, all of us in the nursing profession have agreed to use it, and all I have to do is conform. Easy.

APA style greases the wheels of written communication in the educational and publishing worlds. You might not think that you will ever publish an article, but life is long and twisty, and many of you eventually will do exactly that. You have to submit articles for publication to professional nursing journals in APA format, and that's that. Anything less will not be accepted. Just as in school, having a standard that we all agree to adhere to makes the expectations clear and smooths the path of communication.

Part of my job is to teach nurses how to be professionals. Professionals are supposed to communicate well when writing and speaking. I would be a very poor teacher if I didn't insist that you learn how to do APA style, when I know that it will help you sharpen your writing skills and learn how to present yourself in a professional manner in the world of work.