Does anyone do medical writing?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I have extensive freelance writing/editing experience but not in the medical field. How do I break in? I'd like to work on a freelance basis.

I actually interviewed once for a clinical editing job with a major publisher but they required full time and I would have had to give up clinical practice, which I was not willing to do.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

following ... i am definitely interested in this

[Goldenfox]

I haven't yet done it, but I'm planning to do a bit of it starting next year. I'm still making some contacts. They do ask for samples of your work so since you have an extensive background in it you should do just fine. It was recommended by my attorney that I add coverage for this to my malpractice liability (which is very inexpensive) before I get started. That is something you might want to look into.

What I've found out so far is that where you get published depends much on your credentials. As an NP you can write health-related articles for a wide range of periodicals (but they will especially love you if you have a doctoral degree), but you have to be very careful about the accuracy of your content because you're putting your name and reputation out there. The big exception is with research journals and medical journals because the former generally won't be interested unless you are a researcher with a PhD, and the latter generally won't be interested unless you are a physician.

I don't plan to oblige to any publisher. I'm going to write when I feel like writing.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Goldenrod, you plan to write articles on the topic of your choice and then submit them for publication?

I guess my first step would be getting my paper from school published... It was rejected from the first journal i submitted to and then i started my first job and never got around to polishing it and submitting it again.

[Goldenfox]

Yes. I will be writing on my topics of choice. What kind of publisher are you submitting to? Is it a peer-reviewed journal that targets a health professions group or a news outlet? If it is the latter, I would avoid the academic stuff that you wrote in school completely and write things that appeal to general audiences as a public health issue. But don't just submit stuff to them. You have to introduce yourself to them with your credentials first and then pitch the synopsis of your piece. Let them ask you to send them the completed work. Most unsolicited materials are rejected by publishers.