I hate to write!

[Inquisitive one]

Does anyone have real anxiety when it comes to writing and how do you overcome it? I do fine with nurses notes and the technical stuff. It's the more subjective stuff that causes anxiety and brain block. Maybe I try too hard. One of the main reasons I won't go back to school for my BSN is because of all the papers and research writing that needs to be done. I'm sort of a noncommunitive (quiet) person anyways and prefer to listen than to speak. Right now I'm trying to write a recommendation letter for some one and it's taking me forever as usual. I've always been a good student but struggle with writing. Any ideas on how to make ideas flow and how to get them on paper so they sound semi intelligent?

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Maybe thats the problem,, you are trying to hard. Just say what you have to say and leave it at that.

[Ginger35]

I kind of know what you are saying here. I remember when I was just beginning as a new grad - it was like I couldn't figure out what all to put in the nurses notes - then the next night, a nurse from ICU came to work on the floor, had the same patients and found tons of stuff to write about - I think it comes with experience....I guess.....

I'm in a masters program and there is lots of writing to do. I also have a hard time figuring out the chain of events in my thought processes. However, what makes it easier is to 'brain storm" stuff that first comes to mind on the subject and just type it on Word or wite it down. Even if it doesn't make much sense at the time. Once you feel like you have a few thoughts down, reorganize each thought on how you want to say things 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so forth.... Then, you can add stuff as needed to expand on those points.

Hope this helps you.

Ginger

[Alex_RN2b09]

I just stayed up all night writing my paper for my nursing fundamentals class, but this is the norm for me. Sadly it's worse when I actually care as well. I feel your pain. :-(

[NurseyPoo, RN]

I don't know where you are located or where you work BUT...there are classes available on this very subject. Several places have on-line courses available...OR, does your hospital offer any classes? The education person might be able to help you out with this.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It may surprise people who read my many posts on allnurses.com, but I struggle with writing certain types of things, too. I particularly struggle with writing things that I care deeply about and want to be perfect. I've been told I am a good writer and I know that I should be publishing articles in respected journals as part of my career. However, they never seem to get written because of my reluctance to write "imperfect" ones.

In graduate school, what helped me overcome my phobia of "blank pages that need to be filled" was a culture that taught us that student papers are always works in progress. If the paper were due 2 weeks earlier in the semester, then it would not be as good as it is on the later due date. If the students were given an extra month to work on our papers, they would be improved in that extra month. The paper we handed in was always considered to be "where we are today" in our thinking -- with everyone acknowledging that next month, we would be further along. That helped me cope with some of my feelings of needing to be perfect.

At work, when I have things to write -- such as lectures or class handouts -- I break the task down into smaller units. For example, when I sit down to write, I don't try to write a final version from start to scratch. I might start by just jotting down a few ideas in random order ... or making a list of major points I want to include. I'll start that way knowing that I will organize it and find better phrasing later. As I jot down and sketch out, I slowly start to put things in order and find better phrases to use. Slowly, the final product begins to take shape.

I also finds it helps me to talk about the ideas with someone else -- either in real life or a pretend person. Playing with the ideas verbally helps me with the phrasing and the organization of the thoughts. It's usually during such discussions (real or imaginary) that I come up with a "catchy opening sentence" or a theme to use or a good way to end the paper, etc.

I also use allnurses.com as a place to come to practice my writing. I find it easier to write when I do a lot of writing on a regular basis -- as opposed to not writing at all for several days and then suddenly trying to write something serious.

Good luck,

llg

[GingerSue]

when I was taking university courses and had to write essays, papers, etc

and found myself blocked to get started,

it was helpful for me to just sit with blank paper in front of me and jot down any words that came to me as ideas,

just start writing the words, phrases, in any order, just to capture them

later start organizing them, and linking them, creating the sentences and paragraphs.

I found that the English course helped with organization of sentences and paragraphs.