IJ

International Journal of Nursing Studies

The International Journal of Nursing Studies (IJNS) publishes original research and scholarship on health care delivery, organisation, management, workforce, policy, and research methods relevant to nursing, midwifery, and other health-related professions. It aims to support evidence-informed policy and practice by publishing research, systematic and other scholarly reviews, critical discussion, and methodological papers, and has been publishing peer-reviewed articles since 1963.

Looking to publish in International Journal of Nursing Studies? Livewrite integrates seamlessly with Word to help you write, edit, and format faster.

Existing customer login
Subject Nursing
Impact Factor 7.1
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Hybrid
ISSN 0020-7489
eISSN 1873-491X
Invitation Only No
Cost Range Open Access Article Publishing Charge (APC): USD 5,550 (excluding taxes). Subscription: No publication fee charged to authors.

Submission Instructions

International Journal of Nursing Studies accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Research Papers

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be uploaded together with the completed submission checklist and reporting checklist under the Cover Letter file type. The cover letter itself has no mandatory content explicitly stated.
Abstract An abstract is required for Research Papers. Abstract must not exceed 400 words. Abstract must be structured. Study registration details must be included at the end of the abstract, including the registry name, registration number, registration date, and where relevant the date the first participant was recruited.
Manuscript Research Papers must be 2,000 to 7,000 words in length. Manuscript must use clearly defined section headings, and the title must be in the format Topic (or question): method. Manuscript must include 1 to 7 keywords, 2 or 3 single-sentence bullet points under both 'What is already known' and 'What this paper adds,' and an AI-use declaration before the references if generative AI was used in manuscript preparation.
References References must be complete and consistent, with every in-text citation included in the reference list and references cited in the abstract given in full.
Figures & Tables Research Papers may include up to 5 tables or figures in total, with any additional items submitted as supplementary material. Tables must appear in the anonymized manuscript, while figures and other graphical media must be uploaded as separate files. Tables must be editable text with captions and consecutive numbering, and instrument development or validation papers must include the full instrument as a supplementary file.
Reformat to International Journal of Nursing Studies using Livewrite Premium

Reviews

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be uploaded together with the completed submission checklist. The cover letter must be uploaded together with the completed submission checklist and any reporting checklist.
Abstract An abstract is required for Reviews. The abstract must not exceed 400 words. The abstract must be structured. Mandatory abstract headings are not specified.
Manuscript Reviews must be 2,000 to 7,000 words in length. The manuscript title must follow the format Topic (or question): method, and the manuscript must be divided into clearly defined sections using headings. The manuscript must include 1 to 7 keywords, 2 or 3 single-sentence bullet points under both “What is already known” and “What this paper adds,” and an AI-use declaration at the end before the references if generative AI was used in manuscript preparation.
References References must be cited consistently, with every in-text citation included in the reference list and vice versa.
Figures & Tables The paper may include up to 5 tables or figures in total, with any additional tables or figures submitted as supplementary material. Tables must appear in the anonymized manuscript, while figures and other graphical media must be supplied as separate files. Tables must be submitted as editable text rather than images, and every table and figure must be cited in the text, numbered consecutively, and accompanied by a caption.
Reformat to International Journal of Nursing Studies using Livewrite Premium

Discussion Papers

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be uploaded together with the completed submission checklist.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 400 words.
Manuscript Manuscript must be 2,000 to 7,000 words in length. Manuscript must be divided into clearly defined sections using headings. Manuscript must include 1 to 7 keywords in English, 2 or 3 single-sentence bullets under “What is already known,” 2 or 3 single-sentence bullets under “What this paper adds,” and an AI-use declaration before the references if generative AI was used in manuscript preparation.
References References must be complete and consistent, with all in-text citations included in the reference list and vice versa.
Figures & Tables Papers may include up to 5 tables or figures in total. Tables must appear in the anonymized manuscript, while figures must be supplied as separate files. Tables must be editable text with captions and consecutive numbering, and all figures and tables must be cited in the manuscript text.
Reformat to International Journal of Nursing Studies using Livewrite Premium

Editorials

Cover Letter A cover letter is required and must be uploaded together with the completed submission checklist.
Abstract Editorials do not require an abstract.
Manuscript Editorials must be no longer than 1000 words. Manuscripts must be divided into clearly defined sections using headings. Include 1 to 7 keywords in English, provide 2 or 3 single-sentence bullets under both “What is already known” and “What this paper adds,” and add an AI-use declaration before the references if generative AI was used in manuscript preparation.
References References cited in the article must appear in the reference list and vice versa, and references must be presented in a consistent style including standard bibliographic details.
Figures & Tables Papers may include up to 5 tables or figures in total, with any additional items submitted as supplementary material. Tables must appear in the anonymized manuscript, while figures and other graphical media must be uploaded as separate files. Tables must be editable text with captions and consecutive numbering, and all tables and figures must be cited in the manuscript text.
Reformat to International Journal of Nursing Studies using Livewrite Premium

Recent Publications

Editorial Board

-

10.1016/s0020-7489(26)00364-0
View Publication

Female genital mutilation knowledge, attitudes and training needs among health professionals in non-practicing countries: A literature review

Isabella Rosato, Chiara Melillo, Farah D'Odorico, Pina Sica, Patrizia Mussi, Cristina Canova

10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105616
View Publication

The human-robot division of labor in home care for older adults with disabilities: A multi-stakeholder qualitative descriptive study

Cui Lei, Li Yufei, Li Wanglai, Yang Xinyao, Suo Lingling, Hou Lili

10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105718
View Publication

Immediate and early kangaroo mother care: Evidence and priorities for research and practice

Yuan Li, Hanmei Peng

10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105716
View Publication

Bridging the intention–behavior gap in physical activity among adults with obesity: A situation-specific theory

Binyu Zhao, Qiwei Wu, Meijuan Cao, Erxu Xue, Yufeng Zhou, Jing Shao

10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105717
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to publish?

9 days submission to first decision; 63 days submission to decision after review; 179 days submission to acceptance; 4 days from acceptance to first online publication; average time from submission to first decision of 4 weeks; final online publication as soon as 2 weeks post-acceptance.

Reformat to International Journal of Nursing Studies using Livewrite Premium

Is a cover letter required?

A cover letter is required. The completed submission checklist and reporting checklist should be uploaded together with the cover letter under the “Cover Letter” file type during submission.

Reformat to International Journal of Nursing Studies using Livewrite Premium

What are the publication costs?

Open Access Article Publishing Charge (APC): USD 5,550 (excluding taxes). Subscription publication has no publication fee charged to authors.

Reformat to International Journal of Nursing Studies using Livewrite Premium

Research Topics

Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes Human auditory perception and evaluation Nursing education and management Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues Educational Robotics and Engineering Diverse Scientific and Economic Studies Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout Workplace Health and Well-being Interprofessional Education and Collaboration Nursing Roles and Practices Global Health Workforce Issues Nursing Diagnosis and Documentation Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management Emergency and Acute Care Studies Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research Nursing Education, Practice, and Leadership Health, psychology, and well-being Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health Patient Safety and Medication Errors Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life Health Sciences Research and Education

Related Journals

MO
Molecular Oncology Elsevier BV
RM
Respiratory Medicine Elsevier BV
JO
Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science Elsevier BV
JO
Journal of Transport & Health Elsevier BV
Cy
Cytotherapy Elsevier BV
EG
Experimental Gerontology Elsevier BV