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Nurses of USC

Abstract Writing Workshop Templates

You have done the work and acquired the knowledge, now share your results with your peers and wider community. Disseminating knowledge through conference presentations is the next step in the clinical enquiry process. Abstract Writing Workshops are scheduled throughout 2024. Below are documents used in the workshops, and to help get started and organized. 

                            

Abstract Writing Tips

The goal of the Title & Abstract is to Grab the Readers Attention! This can be achieved through  consolidating content into easy-to-digest chunks of information.

  • Title is succinct, convincing, and engaging.
  • First sentence should be powerful.
  • Entice reviewers or readers with compelling, understandable writing.

When Considering Authorship, 

  • Decide who will be the first, or lead author, and the order of the remaining authors ​
  • All listed authors should have:​
    • contributed to the work,
    • AND drafted or reviewed the work,
    • AND approved final version,
    • AND agreed to be accountable for all aspects of accuracy and integrity
    • OR Add as Acknowledgements, rather than author

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE, 2022). Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors. [website] <accessed April 16, 2024>​

Review highly-regarded publications in your field. Many associations publish a special issue of conference proceedings.

Well-constructed Abstracts Should Answer the Following:

  • WHY was the work important, and what were the issues and scope of the problems? (Purpose/Question(s)/Problem/Aims/Significance)
  • WHERE your setting was and what population did you use? (Background/Introduction/Context)
  • HOW did you design your research initiative or education initiative? (Methods/Approach/QI Model/Intervention)
  • WHAT were the outcomes, findings, and lessons learned? (Results/Outcomes/Significance/Discussion/Limitations or Barriers(
  • WHAT NOW and how should others use this information? (Implications/Recommendations)

Think "A-B-C" to Guide Your Writing: Follow the ABCs of Effective Communication

  • Accuracy: Mirror the content of your study or project
  • Brevity: Outline the major points in as few words as possible
  • Clarity: Use clear, consistent and precise language

More Abstract Writing Guidelines

  • Write in short, complete sentences
  • Use specific terms and define any common jargon or acronyms
  • Use digits unless the number starts a sentence
  • Use active voice and past tense

When you have an abstract ready to submit

  • Ask - Others to read your abstract before you submit
  • Check - Understanding and clarity
  • Check - Spelling and grammatical errors
  • Check - Consistent use of terms

Some Final Key Points for Abstracts

  • Complete and comprehensive
  • Sections should interconnect
  • Interesting to reviewers and readers
  • Generates discussion
  • Magnet conference emphasizes Nurse-led projects and efforts around Engagement
  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses conference emphasizes the nurse's role in improving patient outcomes
  • Association of California Nurse Leaders conference emphasizes the implementation of leadership strategies to change culture and influence outcomes
  • Western Institute of Nursing conference focuses on studying the correlation between nursing interventions and patient outcomes
Nursing Organization Submissions open Submissions Close Conference Date
AACN - Am Assoc of Critical Care Nurses - NTI mid-Jul mid-Sep mid-May 2025
AANP - Am Assoc of Nurse Practitioners   early May late-Jun 2024
ACNL - Assoc of Cal Nurse Leaders early-Apr late-Jul Feb 9-12, 2025
ANCC - Magnet Conference mid-Oct early-Dec Oct 2025
ANPD - Assoc Nurses in Prof Develop   early-Sep early Apr
AONL - Am Org for Nurse Leaders   late-Aug mid-Apr
AORN - Assoc of Operating Room Nurses   mid-Jul early-Apr
APIC - Assoc for Prof infect Control & Epidemiol   early-Dec early-Jun
ITNS - Intnl Transplant Nurses Society   late-Feb mid-Oct
NACNS - Nat Assoc Clin Nurse Specialists   late-Aug early-Mar
ONS - Oncol Nurse Soc Congress mid-Aug late-Sep late-Apr
WIN - Western Inst of Nursing   mid-Oct mid-Apr

 

If you get frustrated, stuck, or cannot find the right words... reach out to mentors for help and advice.

Where to Get Help

Office Hours: Fridays in the Keck Hospital Hoffman Cafe, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

American College of Physicians. (2015, December 28). Guide to Preparing for the Abstract Competition | ACP Online. https://www.acponline.org/membership/residents/competitions-awards/acp-national-abstract-competitions/guide-to-preparing-for-the-abstract-competition (NOTE: These tips are applicable to all, including nurses).

Connor, L. (2019) Writing an Abstract for an EBP Initiative for a Poster or Podium Presentation. Retrieved October 11, 2023 from https://fuld.nursing.osu.edu/writing-abstract-ebp-initiative-poster-or-podium-presentation 

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE, 2022). Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors. [website] <accessed April 16, 2024>​

Pietsch, T. (2021). Poster Series Part 1, Writing an Abstract for a Research or QI Poster Presentation. Association of Rehabilitation Nurses. Retrieved August 23, 2023 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O75LjadRvw  

Sherman, R.O. (2017). Chapter16: Writing Abstracts For Podium or Poster Presentations. In C. Saver (ed.): Anatomy of writing for publication for nurses. (3rd ed.) Sigma Theta Tau International.