How to Reference the 6cs of Nursing in Harvard Referencing Style

The 6Cs of Nursing – Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment – form the bedrock of modern nursing practice in the UK and beyond. Developed by NHS England in 2012 as part of the "Compassion in Practice" strategy, these values guide healthcare professionals in delivering patient-centred care. When writing academic papers, essays, or reports that discuss, analyse, or apply the 6Cs, accurate referencing is not just a good practice; it's a fundamental requirement for academic integrity and professional credibility.

This guide will walk you through the process of referencing the 6Cs of Nursing using the Harvard referencing style, covering various source types you might encounter.

Understanding the 6Cs of Nursing

Before diving into referencing, let's briefly recap the 6Cs:

• Care: The core business of nursing and the driving force behind everything nurses do.
• Compassion: How care is given through relationships based on empathy, respect, and dignity.
• Competence: All those in caring roles must have the ability to understand an individual's health and social needs and the expertise to deliver effective care.
• Communication: Central to a caring relationship and to safe and effective care.
• Courage: Enables us to do the right thing for the people we care for, to speak up when we have concerns, and to have the personal strength and vision to innovate and embrace new ways of working.
• Commitment: A dedication to patients and their families, to the job, and to the continuous improvement of care.

These values are often discussed in textbooks, journal articles, policy documents, and online resources. Your task is to correctly acknowledge these sources.

Harvard Referencing Style: The Basics

Harvard referencing typically involves two components:

1. In-text citations: Brief citations within the body of your text, usually comprising the author's surname and the year of publication (e.g., Smith, 2020). If quoting directly, include a page number (e.g., Smith, 2020, p. 45).
2. Reference list: A comprehensive list at the end of your document, providing full publication details for every source cited in your text. This list is usually alphabetised by author surname.

Specific formatting can vary slightly between institutions (e.g., Anglia Ruskin Harvard, Cite Them Right Harvard). Always consult your university's specific Harvard referencing guide. For this guide, we will use a common, widely accepted Harvard style.

Referencing the Original Source of the 6Cs

The primary source for the 6Cs of Nursing is the "Compassion in Practice" strategy document from NHS England.

In-text Citation for NHS England

When you refer to the 6Cs and want to cite their origin:

• First mention: The 6Cs of Nursing (NHS Commissioning Board, 2012) were introduced to underpin compassionate care.
• Subsequent mentions: These values (NHS Commissioning Board, 2012) guide practice.
• Direct quote: "Care is the core business of nursing" (NHS Commissioning Board, 2012, p. 11).

Reference List Entry for NHS England

Format: Author/Organisation, A.A. (Year) Title of document. Place of publication: Publisher. Example: NHS Commissioning Board (2012) Compassion in practice: nursing, midwifery and care staff – our vision and strategy. Leeds: NHS Commissioning Board.

Note: Sometimes, the author might be listed as 'Department of Health' or 'NHS England' depending on the specific version or how your institution prefers to cite government bodies. Always check the document itself for the correct author/publisher.

Referencing Books Discussing the 6Cs

Many nursing textbooks discuss the 6Cs in detail, applying them to various aspects of practice.

In-text Citation for a Book

• Paraphrasing: The integration of the 6Cs is crucial for ethical nursing practice (Brown, 2018).
• Direct quote: Brown (2018, p. 72) states that "competence ensures patient safety and quality outcomes."

Reference List Entry for a Book

Format: Author, A.A. (Year) Title of book. Edition (if applicable). Place of publication: Publisher. Example: Brown, A. (2018) Nursing ethics and professional practice. 3rd edn. London: Macmillan Education.

For a chapter in an edited book: Format: Chapter Author, A.A. (Year) Title of chapter. In: Editor, B.B. (ed.) Title of book. Place of publication: Publisher, page range of chapter. Example: Davies, L. (2019) Applying the 6Cs in mental health nursing. In: Green, S. (ed.) Contemporary issues in mental health nursing. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, pp. 112-130.

Referencing Journal Articles Applying the 6Cs

Academic journals often feature research, reviews, or opinion pieces that delve into the application and impact of the 6Cs.

In-text Citation for a Journal Article

• Paraphrasing: Research indicates a strong correlation between staff communication skills and patient satisfaction, aligning with the 6Cs framework (Chen & Patel, 2021).
• Direct quote: Chen and Patel (2021, p. 145) observed that "courage in challenging outdated practices is a hallmark of committed nursing."

Reference List Entry for a Journal Article

Format: Author, A.A. (Year) Title of article. Title of Journal, Volume(Issue), page range. Available at: DOI or URL (Accessed: Date). Example: Chen, L. and Patel, R. (2021) The impact of the 6Cs on patient outcomes in acute care settings. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(2), pp. 140-152. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12345 (Accessed: 15 March 2023).

Note: Include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available, as it's a stable link. If not, a direct URL is acceptable, along with the access date.

Referencing Websites and Online Resources

The 6Cs are frequently discussed on professional body websites, educational platforms, and news articles.

In-text Citation for a Website

• Paraphrasing: The Royal College of Nursing (2022) regularly updates its guidance on ethical practice, often referencing the 6Cs.
• Direct quote: According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2023), "commitment to ongoing professional development is essential for competence" (para. 3).

Note: For websites without page numbers, use paragraph numbers (para.) if clearly indicated, or simply cite the author and year.

Reference List Entry for a Website

Format: Author/Organisation, A.A. (Year) Title of webpage. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date). Example: Royal College of Nursing (2022) The 6Cs of nursing: a guide for practitioners. Available at: https://www.rcn.org.uk/6cs-guide (Accessed: 20 February 2023).

Example for a webpage with no clear author (use 'Anon.' or the organisation name if it's clearly responsible): Format: Organisation (Year) Title of webpage. Available at: URL (Accessed: Date). Example: Nursing and Midwifery Council (2023) The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. Available at: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/ (Accessed: 10 March 2023).

Referencing Reports and Guidelines

Beyond the original NHS document, other organisations or governmental bodies might publish reports or guidelines that expand on the 6Cs.

In-text Citation for a Report

• Paraphrasing: A recent report highlighted the challenges in maintaining compassion in high-pressure environments (Care Quality Commission, 2020).

Reference List Entry for a Report

Format: Author/Organisation, A.A. (Year) Title of report. Place of publication: Publisher. Example: Care Quality Commission (2020) State of care report 2019/20. London: Care Quality Commission.

General Tips for Accurate Referencing

• Consistency is Key: Once you choose a specific Harvard style (e.g., your university's version), stick to it rigorously throughout your entire document. Don't mix and match different Harvard variations.
• Record as You Go: As you research and gather sources, immediately record all necessary referencing details (author, year, title, publisher, URL, access date, page numbers). This prevents frantic searching later.
• Check Your University Guidelines: Every university has specific requirements for referencing. Always consult your course handbook or institutional library guide for the definitive version of Harvard referencing they expect. This can include minor variations in punctuation, italics, or order of elements.
• Understand Plagiarism: Referencing isn't just about avoiding penalties; it's about acknowledging intellectual property and demonstrating your understanding of existing knowledge. Any ideas, facts, or direct words that are not your own must be cited.
• Use Reference Management Tools: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can help you collect, organise, and automatically generate citations and reference lists, significantly reducing errors and saving time.
• Review and Proofread: Before submission, always proofread your reference list against your in-text citations and vice-versa. Ensure every in-text citation has a corresponding entry in the reference list, and vice versa. Check for spelling errors, formatting inconsistencies, and missing information.

Why Accurate Referencing of the 6Cs Matters

In nursing education and practice, the 6Cs are more than just theoretical concepts; they are professional standards. Demonstrating that you can correctly reference sources that discuss these standards shows:

• Academic Rigour: You are engaging with scholarly literature and policy documents.
• Professionalism: You understand the importance of evidence-based practice and ethical conduct.
• Credibility: Your arguments are supported by reputable sources, enhancing the trustworthiness of your work.
• Avoidance of Plagiarism: You are giving credit where it is due, upholding academic integrity.

Incorrect or inconsistent referencing can undermine your arguments, lead to lower grades, and in serious cases, result in accusations of academic misconduct. If you ever find yourself struggling to ensure your citations are perfectly aligned with your university's guidelines or need a meticulous review of your academic papers, services like EssayMatrix can help by offering professional editing and formatting to ensure your work meets the highest standards of academic presentation and referencing accuracy.

By diligently applying these Harvard referencing principles, you will not only avoid common pitfalls but also demonstrate a deep understanding of academic conventions and the crucial role of the 6Cs in nursing. This attention to detail reflects the very commitment and competence that the 6Cs advocate.

Conclusion

Mastering Harvard referencing for the 6Cs of Nursing is an essential skill for any nursing student or professional. It reinforces your academic integrity, enhances the credibility of your arguments, and demonstrates your commitment to scholarly practice. By consistently applying the guidelines for in-text citations and reference list entries across various source types, you will confidently present well-researched and professionally formatted academic work. Always refer to your institution's specific referencing guidelines to ensure full compliance.