Freelance writing makes a great second career

Published Jul 10, 2014

Columnist

14 Articles; 297 Posts

Specializes in Freelance Writer, 'the nurse who knows content'.

Are you a nurse who has always dreamed of becoming a writer? I have great news for you. There's never been a better time for a nurse to become a freelance writer.

My name is Beth, and I'm an RN and successful freelance writer. I want to share my knowledge with you to help you make the leap from nurse to writer, too.

Let me clear up one thing right away: Yes, it really is possible to make a great living as a freelance writer. In fact, I earn more as a writer than I ever did as a nurse. However, this isn't some get-rich-quick scheme. Writing is a career and a business, and you'll have to work at it to be successful.

When I say "freelance writer," I'm talking about a professional, working writer who crafts a variety of materials for an array of clients. I'm not taking about novelists or poets. If you have dreams of penning the next Great American Novel, my blog probably won't help you.

But if, on the other hand, you're itching to trade in your stethoscope for a laptop and your noisy clinical environment for a cozy home office, I'm here to help you.

Why on earth would I give up my "secrets of success" to anyone who reads this blog? Well, several things influence my decision. First, I know all too well what a grind nursing can become when you hit a certain age or a certain point in your career. Don't get me wrong. I loved clinical nursing. But the time came where I felt burned out. Maybe you feel the same way. I'd like to help my fellow nurses transition to a lucrative new career as a freelance writer.

The other reason I don't mind sharing my tips is the demand for health and medical writers far outstrips the supply. In short, there's plenty of work to go around. I don't lose a thing by helping other nurses become writers.