When nursing research is concluded, its true completion is marked by publication in a nursing journal. If extensive research fails to influence any knowledge framework or exert any practical impact, it becomes futile.
Then, where should nursing research be submitted for publication?
Primarily, it is crucial to contemplate the journal’s aim and the alignment of my research topic.
‘Will the primary readers of this journal truly show interest in my research?’
Every journal has a specific focus, and its subscribers are individuals interested in that particular direction. Hence, comprehending the purpose and scopes of the journal is essential.
This information is usually clearly presented on the journal’s website. You can find it by reading the “Aims and Scope” section, often available as a direct link at the top of the homepage or under sections such as About or Overview
If you discover that the direction outlined in the ‘Aims and Scope’ corresponds to your research, it is recommended to explore whether similar studies on your research topic have been published in that journal. You can conduct additional searches on platforms such as Google Scholar for further confirmation.
Nevertheless, wouldn’t it be more prudent to submit to a more reputable journal?
In the world of academic journals, authority signifies that papers published in the journal are frequently cited in other research, indicating a substantial contribution of valuable studies by the journal.
The capacity to attract citations for research is known as Impact Factor. It is annually updated and announced, determined by the performance over the past two years (average citations received by the journal’s published papers during that period). This is segmented into quartiles: Q1 (top 25%) to Q4 (bottom 25%), based on ranking.
In essence, the advice is to ‘Opt for a journal that suits your research scope and, if possible, is a Q1 journal!’
Today, I’ve compiled a list of the top 12 journals among the total of 36 nursing journals categorized as Q1.
This information is based on Clarivate’s Journal citation report, which was the latest released in 2023. The report includes the average number of citations received by papers published in each journal from 2020 to December 2021, within the following year, 2022.
Top 1. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
Impact factor(2022): 8.1
Total Number Of Cites: 16,189
Aim and Scope: “This journal particularly welcomes research aiming to evaluate and understand complex healthcare interventions and health policies. Additionally, it seeks to enhance the quality of research by publishing methodological papers that introduce, explain, or discuss analytical techniques, measurements, research methods, and other methodologies.”
Top 2. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Impact factor(2022): 5.6
Total Number Of Cites: 4,154
Aim and Scope: “It delves into contemporary trends in mental health practice and research, with the goal of advancing the comprehension of mental health nursing practice and research, educational and training directions, professional issues, management methods, policy development, ethical considerations, theoretical exploration, and clinical issues.”
Top 3. Journal of Nursing Management
Impact factor(2022): 5.5
Total Number Of Cites: 8,500
Aim and Scope: “This journal seeks to furnish practitioners and researchers in the field of nursing management and leadership with relevant information. It delves into and discusses contemporary issues within nursing management and leadership, assesses evidence for current practices, formulates optimal clinical applications in nursing management and leadership, scrutinizes the impact of policy development, and tackles issues related to policy, quality, and safety in the field.”
Top 4. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Impact Factor: 5.3
Total Number Of Cites: 2,882
Aim and Scope: “Aiming to develop and enhance essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and creative thinking crucial in critical care nursing practice”
Top 5. NURSING OUTLOOK
Impact Factor: 4.3
Total Number Of Cites: 3,028
Aim and Scope: “Aiming to provide swift and innovative ideas to nursing leadership. Investigating current issues and trends in nursing practice, education, and research, and proposing progressive solutions to challenges faced by the profession.”
Top 6. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing
Impact Factor: 4.3
Total Number Of Cites: 2,315
Aim and Scope: “Aiming to serve as a key source of evidence for evidence-based nursing practice. Welcoming the integration of knowledge, large-scale research, reviews on current issues and advancements in evidence-based practice.”
Top 7. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING
Impact Factor: 4.2
Total Number Of Cites: 18,779
Aim and Scope: “Aiming to promote substantive and high-level academic development in clinical nursing practice.“
Top 8. Nursing Ethics
Impact Factor: 4.2
Total Number Of Cites: 4,594
Aim and Scope: “A practical approach to nursing ethics. Primarily addresses the management/professional relationships, patient rights/public welfare, with a focus on resuscitation, genetics, health policies, healthcare reasoning, comparative and cross-cultural studies, ethics in nursing education, ethical codes, and more.”
Top 9. INTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW
Impact Factor: 4.1
Total Number Of Cites: 2,945
Aim and Scope: “It predominantly focuses on nursing and health policy issues relevant to nurses. It actively encourages manuscripts where nurses describe the policy significance of their profession and document their experiences and research.”
Top 10. NURSE EDUCATION TODAY
Impact Factor: 3.9
Total Number Of Cites: 13,538
Aim and Scope: “Striving to foster research in nursing and related health education for leaders in nursing education; strategically placing emphasis on academic discussions regarding policy, theory, philosophy, and other strategically important issues. It accentuates research with rigorous methodologies, emphasizing the theoretical foundations of education and systems. Welcoming constructive and critical perspectives on both past research and current advancements.”
Top 11. Women and Birth
Impact Factor: 3.8
Total Number Of Cites: 3,901
Aim and Scope: “Encompassing topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the initial six weeks postpartum. Open to global submissions, offering diverse multinational perspectives. Examining papers that delve into midwifery practice, research, theory, education, management and leadership, maternal service provision, maternal and neonatal health, respectful maternity care, breastfeeding, primary healthcare, psychology, sociology, human rights, and aspects related to health economics
Top 12. JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
Impact Factor: 3.8
Total Number Of Cites: 23,672
Aim and Scope: “Welcome papers with a robust scientific, evidence-based, theoretical, or philosophical foundation, encouraging a critical inquiry and adopting an academic approach. Aiming to contribute to the advancement of evidence-based nursing, midwifery, and healthcare by disseminating high-quality research and scholarship that holds contemporary significance and can enhance knowledge in nursing practice, education, management, or policy“
Even if it’s considered the Top 12 in nursing, each nursing researcher may have diverse and specific areas of interest, making it possible for their work not to fall within the Top 12. However, upon carefully reading the Aim and Scope, one may find that the scope is broader than expected in many cases. Therefore, if there is any overlap with one’s own research area, it might be worth considering submitting to the journal.