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Author guidelines
Thank you for your interest in contributing to our journal. We are always happy to read material from potential new contributors. Our author guidelines have been written to help you with your submission.
To submit your article please go to our online submission system.
We have also gathered together a selection of articles to help you achieve publication.
Mental Health Practice: Author guidelines
Mental Health Practice aims to inform and encourage critical reflection among mental health nurses and others working in mental health care by publishing articles that have clear implications for clinical practice. We are always keen to receive material for the journal.
A practical guide to writing clinical articles for publication
The sharing of nursing knowledge between clinicians can strengthen the profession. Clinicians often underestimate the relevance and importance of what they may contribute and feel daunted by the idea of writing for publication. This article presents a practical approach to writing clinical articles for publication in professional journals such as Mental Health Practice. It considers: what is a clinical article; the structure of a clinical article (Why? Where? How? What? What now?); choosing the journal; and understanding the editorial process.
Avoiding plagiarism in academic writing
Plagiarism means taking the work of another and presenting it as one's own, resulting in potential upset for the original author and disrepute for the professions involved. This article aims to explore the issue of plagiarism and some mechanisms for detection and avoidance.
Developing academic writing skills: the PROCESS framework
Academic writing is an important aspect of professional development for students and lecturers. It is one way in which they demonstrate their learning, but it can be a difficult skill to master. This article aims to enable students and professionals to develop their academic writing style using a coherent and effective framework.
Disseminating best practice through publication in journals
This article explores the ways in which best practice might be presented successfully through articles published within journals. The article discusses the importance of preparatory research and 'thinking time', the need for an article plan and how to target journals and approach staff. Information and advice is provided on writing, redrafting and dealing with the peer review process. There is an emphasis on consultation and obtaining feedback on the potential article throughout the planning and writing process.
Plagiarism: the internet makes it easy
This article examines the issue of plagiarism by nursing students and academics in British universities and highlights how electronic developments such as the internet and word processing have made it easier.
Writing for publication: a practical guide
This article aims to encourage nurses in clinical practice to consider writing for publication and actively contribute to professional development through the dissemination of nursing knowledge. It also provides a practical guide for writing a research and quality improvement article.
The RCN Publishing Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal College of Nursing, the world's largest organisation for nurses. RCN Publishing produces one weekly, eight monthly and two quarterly nursing publications. Nursing Standard, the flagship journal, is the UK's biggest selling weekly for nursing. It is produced by RCN Publishing Company along with a suite of specialist nursing journals - Cancer Nursing Practice, Mental Health Practice, Learning Disability Practice, Nursing Children and Young People, Nursing Management, Emergency Nurse, Nursing Older People, Nurse Researcher and Primary Health Care. RCN Publishing Company also produce the RCN Bulletin, a major source of up-to-the-minute information for RCN members in all specialities, grades and working environments. With the latest nurse vacancies from trusts nationwide, it has become the most cost-effective nurse recruitment magazine available.