Crafting a Compelling Abstract

Tips from Kelly Bryant, Chair of the Scholarly Review Committee

No stranger to the APNA Annual Conference Call for Abstracts process, Kelly Bryant has served as Associate Chair of the APNA Scholarly Review Committee, reviewer for APNA Annual Conference abstracts, a podium and poster presenter at multiple APNA Annual Conferences, and now serves as the Chair of the APNA Scholarly Review Committee.

With so much expertise under her belt, trust that Kelly’s tips will help you craft a compelling abstract for the APNA 39th Annual Conference!

“Developing an abstract is an opportunity to share the impact and importance of initiatives you have undertaken,” Bryant says.  “It’s like telling your story to others. It creates a vision for the reader and helps them to understand the importance and merit of your work. Your knowledge and passion on the proposed topic should shine through. The Annual Conference allows you to share your story and expertise with others and foster ongoing sharing and learning with your PMH colleagues.”

“The Annual Conference allows you to share your story and expertise with others and foster ongoing sharing and learning with your PMH colleagues.”

Where to start:

Whether you have never submitted an abstract, or need a refresher, the Abstract Toolkit has tools and resources that identify the key focus areas for creating and submitting your abstract for consideration.

Start early to allow sufficient time to develop your thoughts and craft your abstract. You can make ongoing modifications and enhancements before the final submission date.

Ensure success:

A successful abstract is concise and clearly describes the main points of your intended topic. It should spark curiosity and capture the reviewer’s attention and desire to learn more.

While each section of the abstract stands alone, the goal is to create an abstract that flows and expands the readers’ understanding of the proposed topic. It should be easy to read, organized, and comprehensive. Your abstract should make the reader eager and excited to learn more, just like telling a story.

Kelly’s quick tips:

• • • Cover the key points.
    • Avoid redundancy and unnecessary words.
    • Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
    • Have a colleague review your abstract before you submit it.

Let your unique experience shine:

This year’s theme, Empowered to Innovate and Collaborate: PMH Nurses Shaping Care Excellence, embraces the spirit and passion of psychiatric-mental health nurses – as change agents, risk takers, and partners in creating excellence in nursing care. As a relationship-based profession, we rely on our skills and talents to drive change and foster creativity and innovation within our profession and amongst colleagues. Your unique experience, crafted as an abstract, could be just what your fellow PMH nurses need at this year’s Annual Conference.

Published January 2025

>>> Start your abstract for the APNA 39th Annual Conference in NOLA today!