Time to Write a Nursing Annotated Bibliography?

Is it another time to write a nursing annotated bibliography?

Do you know how to write an annotated bibliography?

Even to begin with, what is an annotated bibliography?

Note that just like reflective essays, capstone projects, care plans, windshield surveys, or presentations, a nursing annotated bibliography is a common task in nursing school.

Although some students find it troublesome or boring, with the right skills and approach it can be easy and interesting.

Components of a Nursing Annotated Bibliography

A nursing annotated bibliography comprises two components.

They include:

1. Citation
2. The annotation

Citation

As reflected in any good nursing annotated bibliography example, the citation includes information about:

1. Author
2. Title
3. Data
4. Source
5. Publisher

The citations should be formatted based on the required style, including APA, MLA, Chicago, or CBE.

Annotation

The annotation follows the citation.

In a nursing annotated bibliography, the annotation should encompass a concise and informative description, summarizing and evaluating the contents of a source.

It should strike a balance between summary and evaluation.

To do this, it should:

1. Describe the content of a resource briefly
2. Examine the usefulness of the item for the topic under study
3. Explain the methodology used in the study in the source
4. Highlight any of the themes addressed
5. Observe any strengths and/or weaknesses in the study
6. Deliberate the reliability of the source or author  
7. Critically evaluate the content for bias, accuracy, and authority

Annotations vs. Abstracts

Sometimes, annotations and abstracts are confused for each other.

They are different though.

While abstracts are just descriptive summaries that appear at the beginning of a scholarly journal article or in periodical indexes, annotations are descriptive and analytical.

Annotations expose the author’s point of view, clarity and appropriateness of expression, and authority.

In a nutshell, the abstract only summarizes the original content. The annotation summarizes and evaluates it.

The Process of Writing a Nursing Annotated Bibliography

Writing a nursing annotated bibliography is a process.

The process requires the application of different skills.

As illustrated in a good nursing annotated bibliography example, the skills include:

1. Succinct analysis
2. Concise exposition
3. Informed source search

The process of writing a nursing annotated bibliography can be summarized by the below steps:

1. Finding the sources

This step entails locating and recording periodicals, books, and documents with useful information and ideas.

You should briefly examine and review the actual sources.

Then, you should go ahead and select the works with a variety of perspectives on your topic.

2. Citing the sources

This is an important step.

It examines important skills on how to write a nursing annotated bibliography- proper citation.

You should adhere to the correct style.

From your instructions, you should be able to tell whether it’s APA, MLA, etc.

3. Writing the annotation

This another important step when writing a nursing annotated bibliography.

Here, you should write a concise summary of the central theme and scope of the source.

Further, you should include a sentence or two that:

1. Evaluates the background or authority of the author
2. Comments on the target audience
3. Compares and contrasts the work with another that you have cited
4. Or explains how the work contributes to the topic under study

How to Start Sentences in a Nursing Annotated Bibliography

How you start sentences in nursing bibliography is important in enhancing its purpose and coherency.

As demonstrated in any good nursing annotated bibliography example, common starters may include:  

1. The author argues/explores/investigates/ shows…  
2. Jens et al. argue that…
3. The authors present an overview…
4. A major oversight of the research was that…
5. The data indicates that …
6. The main thesis of this argument was that…
7. The two key findings in this study were …
8. The main focus in this article is on…
9. The key contribution of this research is…
10. A key focus was the …
11. Of most significance in this research was the …
12. The author contrasts…
13. The focus on …. …. in this article is of relevance to my own research as it shows ……
14. A key strength/limitation of this article is…
15. The limited scope of the study …  
16. This research has limited application to my own research as it…
17. The authors fail to provide sufficient evidence in respect to…
18. This article would need to be supplemented with…in order for it to fully address my own topic of investigation.

Nursing Annotated Bibliography Examples

Below is a nursing annotated biography example.

Annotation 1:

Linmans, J. J., Van Rossem, C., Knottnerus, J. A., & Spigt, M. (2022). “Exploring the process when developing a lifestyle intervention in primary care for type 2 diabetes: A longitudinal process evaluation.” Public Health, 129(1), 52-59.  

This article explores outcomes for patients attended to by CNPs in comparison to physicians in the provision of Primary Care (PC). The authors argue that pressures to promote health and encourage prevention measures have generated a major debate on the suitability of nurses in the provision of PC. As such, though nurses have been allowed to provide PC under the capacity of CNPs, doubts on the competencies has prompted enactment of strict rules of practice. The goal of the study was to determine whether CNPs were equally competent as physicians in the provision of PC. Data indicates that concerning patient satisfaction, there was minimum difference in satisfaction between patients attend to by the two sets of practitioners. Similar results were obtained in the case of patient health statuses. Results from the article provide a solid foundation for my study on nursing role in PC.

To arrive at this conclusion, a study was conducted in an emergency department, with an extensive six-month interview on clients, where a total of 17 physicians, & CNPs, and 3397 patients were screened in the study. The study encompassed a six month period that entailed screening followed by follow-up. Key strengths of the article lies in the fact that it was systematic and the results attained were detailed and informative on the competencies between the two sets of health care practitioners. Using the SF-36 as the instrument for gathering patient responses made the data collected more detailed, accurate, and reliable. The authors hold doctorate degrees in nursing, with some as professors in different nursing schools, and have all previously worked on patient outcomes-related areas and studies. Target audience is likely practicing nurses and physicians. Published in 2022, the article is current. The article was easy to read and understand, and is written in a professional tone and manner.

Annotation 2:

Tipene-Leach, D. C., Coppell, K. J., Abel, S., Pāhau, H. L., Ehau, T., & Mann, J. I. (2021). Ngāti and healthy: translating diabetes prevention evidence into community action. Ethnicity & Health, 18(4), 402-414.

This article seeks to establish the role of CNPs in regard to provision of quality services that result into consistent patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. It article analyzes the quality of PC provided by CNPs in comparison to that provided by physicians. The goal of the study was to explore the impact of regulations on nursing practice in PC. Data shows that CNPs are equally competent in PC provision as physicians. The study also found that measures necessary in ensuring that CNPs provide consistent patient outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction are extensively deliberated upon. One of these measures include collaboration between CNPs and the health professionals they work together with. Such collaboration is highlighted as essential in developing practice plans and the standardization of practice processes. State regulation of CNPs practice is also considered a major element in ensuring provision of quality PC by CNPs. The state is expected to develop a framework upon which the duties and capabilities of CNPs would be defined.  

The article provides good insights to my study since it provides grounds for the analysis of the role of practice regulatory environment in the provision of low cost but quality services to the population and realization of satisfaction. A key limitation of the article entails is lack of an elaborate methodology section that explains how the results were arrived at. The author however is an experienced nursing practitioner with a graduate nursing degree and extensive nursing research experience. Published in 2021, the article is fairly current. Target audience entails nursing policy makers and language used is appropriate and professional.