My Journey from Nurse to a Freelance Writer

JanineKelbach, RN

I started as a freelance writer back in 2012. I always loved to write short stories and poetry ever since I was a little girl. Science and math were my strong subjects in school, but, I loved to write, even if I wasn't the best writer.

During the first year of my son's life, I struggled to get food on the table and pay our bills. I became a registered nurse as a single mom in 2006, and finally, money wasn't scarce. After graduation, I worked in labor and delivery at a small community hospital. I went on to work at a county hospital in the worst part of Cleveland, Ohio and loved it. I made my way back to the community hospital to a middle management position, became certified in inpatient obstetrics and married my husband.

Shortly after, he adopted my first son and we had our second son. I was offered a day shift position and worked prn for a home care company caring for the high-risk pregnant population in the bad parts of Cleveland, again. I loved the work, and I loved to side hustle at prn jobs to make extra income, I never felt the burn out feeling I saw my other coworkers have.

But, I still loved to write.

Writing on the Side

My grandmother became ill with cancer in early 2013. I was at her bedside towards the end stages. I brought my laptop to write while she slept. I started making money (a whole $5 for 300 words), but it sparked something inside of me. I made that first amount through a content mill. Content mills are companies that have clients post writing gigs, but only pay pennies for the content. It's never a way to make a living, nor do I recommend it. When I wrote for that amount, I didn't know there was another way.

I could do this to make extra money.

My income started to rise as I Googled everything from

"How to make money as a writer from home"
"work at home jobs for nurses"
"work at home jobs for moms"
And more

My goal was to be home more with my sons. I also wanted to pursue my BSN, which I did, all from home.

I Quit My Homecare Job

I obtained my concealed carry license to carry a gun for when I was in trouble at the home care job. Several patients recommended me to carry, so I thought "I better protect myself." I loved the work, and the patients, but the company cracked down on how much we made as nurses, and simply, it wasn't worth my life. My husband was nervous for me, and I started to see why.

Soon after I started making money writing, I quit my homecare job. It's difficult when your heart is into the parents to simply quit, but I had to, and now I am safe and making a living from home. Now, I look back wondering what took me so long.

Nowadays

My income started to quickly rise from my measly $5/300 words to $60/mo then $300/mo to $1K/mo and now I have earned around $2800/mo, part-time, remember it's my PRN job now. I work around 10-12 hours per week for my writing job and 24-36 hours a week for my hospital job.

I still work my part-time hospital job because I can't see myself staying home yet. I love what I do! I love my patients and my experiences with them. I love the doctors I work for as well.

But, I love working from home! I didn't realize how much I could help people with their company's missions and patients with true information from the internet.

I Networked

In 2016, I met a friend who has another social media site. We chatted and laughed about our journeys and wondered how we haven't run into each other in the past 4 years when we were doing the same thing online [the World Wide Web is huuuge].

At the time she shared with me her visions of another social community. I was invited to help develop and maintain the community. Networking proved worthwhile in helping me to meet not only my friend but other nurses who want to start writing. It is important for nurses with like interests to be able to have a place to network.

My Business

As for my business, WriteRN.net:

I have an email list where I share my income reports and resources with my readers
I have 1:1 coaching services and client services
I have weekly blog posts to help freelance writers

Allnurses provides great exposure to nurses all over the US! You can start writing with them by submitting an article.

My mission is to help nurses get started building their freelance businesses. I hope my journey has inspired you to start your #nextprnjob.

My Journey from Nurse to a Freelance Writer

Writing on the Side

I Quit My Homecare Job

Nowadays

I Networked

My Business

About JanineKelbach, RN

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