Submissions

Author Guidelines

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Nurses Association (HNA) hold overall responsibility for the management, supervision and editorial oversight of the Hellenic Journal of Nursing (Nosileftiki).

The Journal accepts manuscripts written in either Greek or English, provided that they comply with the current Instructions for Authors, which are available electronically on the Journal’s website ( www.hjn.gr).

Types of Manuscripts

The Hellenic Journal of Nursing (Nosileftiki) publishes articles related to nursing science and other health sciences relevant to the field of nursing.

The following categories of manuscripts are accepted:

1. Editorials

Editorials are concise articles addressing current issues of particular importance. They are prepared either by members of the Editorial Board or by distinguished experts invited by the Editorial Board. The manuscript length should range between 1,500 and 2,000 words, with 10–20 references.

2. Reviews and Meta-Analyses

These manuscripts provide comprehensive analyses of clinical or other healthcare-related topics based on contemporary national and international literature. The main text should not exceed the limit of 5,000 words (excluding references, tables and figures). The maximum number of authors is: narrative reviews: up to 3 authors, systematic reviews and scoping reviews: up to 5 authors, meta-analyses: up to 8 authors.

1. Narrative Reviews

Narrative Reviews provide a critical and integrative synthesis of the existing literature on a clearly defined scientific or clinical topic in Nursing and Health Sciences.

2. Systematic Reviews

Systematic Reviews are secondary research studies aimed at the systematic, transparent and reproducible synthesis of the available scientific evidence addressing a clearly formulated research question. Systematic Reviews must be based on a predefined methodology and should include: a clearly formulated research question or objective, predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, a systematic literature searches, the use of multiple appropriate databases, a documented study selection process, assessment of methodological quality and/or risk of bias, synthesis and critical appraisal of findings. The search strategy should be described in sufficient detail to ensure reproducibility. Prospective registration of the review protocol (e.g., PROSPERO) is strongly encouraged.

3. Scoping Reviews

Scoping Reviews aim to systematically map the available literature within a specific scientific field to identify key concepts, types of evidence, research approaches and knowledge gaps. Authors should clearly describe: the purpose and research questions of the review, the search strategy, databases and other information sources, inclusion and exclusion criteria, study selection procedures, data extraction and synthesis processes.

4. Meta-Analyses

Meta-analyses are quantitative syntheses of research evidence that statistically combine results from individual studies to estimate an overall effect size and/or investigate heterogeneity among findings. Meta-analyses may be submitted either as standalone articles or as part of a Systematic Review. Authors should apply rigorous, transparent and reproducible methodology and clearly report:

The research question or study objectives, inclusion and exclusion criteria, literature search strategy, databases searched, study selection procedures, data extraction methods, assessment of methodological quality and/or risk of bias, statistical methods used for data synthesis. The statistical approach should be described in sufficient detail and, where applicable, include: effect size measures, fixed-effect or random-effects models, heterogeneity assessment, sensitivity analyses, subgroup analyses, publication bias assessment. Prospective registration of the study protocol (e.g. PROSPERO) is strongly encouraged.

3. Original Research Articles

Original Research Articles report findings derived from a research protocol and present novel and significant results. Submitted manuscripts must not have been previously published or be under consideration for publication elsewhere, including journals, books, websites, or other media. The main text should not exceed the limit of 5,000 words (excluding references, tables, and figures). A maximum of eight (8) authors is permitted. Eligible study designs include:

1. Quantitative studies

2. Qualitative studies

3. Mixed-methods studies

4. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies

5. Observational studies

6. Validation and psychometric studies of questionnaires and instruments

7. Other research designs

Authorship should reflect substantial scientific contribution in accordance with the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Reasonable flexibility may be allowed for multicenter or collaborative studies. Authors are encouraged to follow internationally recognized reporting guidelines, including:

• CONSORT (randomized controlled trials)

• STROBE (observational studies)

• COREQ (qualitative research)

• GRAMMS (mixed-methods research)

• PRISMA 2020 (systematic reviews and meta-analyses)

• PRISMA-ScR (scoping reviews)

• EQUATOR Network reporting guidelines

• CASP appraisal tools appropriate for the study design

4. Case Reports

Case Reports describe innovative, unusual, or rare approaches to the management of nursing or other health-related problems. The manuscript should not exceed the limit of 1,500 words (excluding references, tables, and figures), and authorship is limited to a single author. This category includes: unique clinical cases, innovative nursing interventions, complex clinical management cases. Authors are encouraged to follow the CARE Guidelines when preparing Case Reports.

5. General and Special Articles

These articles provide concise overviews of current perspectives on topics of nursing interest. The maximum number of authors is two (2).

6. Clinical Practice and Evidence-Based Nursing Care Articles

These articles focus on the application of scientific evidence in clinical nursing practice. Indicative topics include: evidence-based nursing practice, clinical pathways, clinical guidelines, quality improvement, patient safety, and nursing interventions.

Manuscript Structure:

• Clinical Background / Introduction

• Problem Description

• Scientific Evidence

• Clinical Applications

• Conclusions

Manuscript Length: 3,000–5,000 words

2. MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION

2.1 Submission of Manuscripts

Manuscripts should be submitted electronically through the Journal's online submission system available at the Journal website. Before selecting "Submit Manuscript", authors must either register as a new user if submitting to the Journal for the first time or log in using their existing credentials if they have previously submitted a manuscript. The submission process should be completed exclusively by the Corresponding Author. Upon successful submission, an automatic confirmation e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address provided by the Corresponding Author. Receipt of this confirmation does not imply acceptance of the manuscript for publication.

2.2 Required Accompanying Documents

Each manuscript submission must be accompanied by the following:

2.2.1 Author Declaration Form

A completed and signed Author Declaration Form must be submitted as a separate file and should include:

a. A statement confirming that the manuscript, in whole or in part, has not been previously published and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

b. A declaration that the final version of the manuscript has been read and approved by all authors.

c. A description of each author's contribution to the study design, implementation, analysis, and manuscript preparation.

d. A statement confirming that all authors agree to transfer the copyright ownership of the manuscript to the Journal upon publication.

e. E-mail addresses and telephone contact details of all authors.

f. A declaration regarding the use or non-use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, in accordance with Section 3.10, including the name of the tool/model, purpose of use and extent of human oversight, where applicable.

2.2.2 Ethical Approval Documentation

For research studies involving human participants, authors must provide evidence of approval from the appropriate Ethics and Research Committee of the institution where the study was conducted. The approval reference number (protocol number) should be included in the submission.

2.3 Manuscript Identification and Peer Review Process

Upon receipt, each submitted manuscript is assigned a unique identification number, which is communicated to the Corresponding Author. This identification number should be used in all subsequent correspondence with the Journal. Following completion of the peer-review process, the Corresponding Author will be notified by e-mail regarding the editorial decision.

Authors are strongly encouraged to comply fully with the Journal's Instructions for Authors, as adherence to these requirements facilitates the review process and contributes to a shorter publication timeline. In cases where revisions are requested, the prompt resubmission of the revised manuscript and supporting documents will further expedite the publication process.