Nurse-Writers

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

Any nurses out there who are also freelance writers?

I've been a freelance writer for over five years. I mainly write about art and antiques.

However, I've always wanted to go into nursing, so I have applied to an aBSN program. By the summer of 2008, I could be a nurse.

I can't see ever leaving freelance writing behind entirely, though.

So, I would love to hear from some nurses who freelance. What have your experiences been like? What sorts of pubs do you write for? Have you authored a book or contributed to one? Do you basically just moonlight as a writer, or do you pursue it full-time?

I'm talking about non-fiction writing here, though if anyone has successfully parlayed their nursing experience into a fiction career, I'd love to hear about that, too!

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Specializes in RN, LNC, Owner of Staffing Agency.

Hi,

I'm sending you a PM......be sure to check!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I'm a freelancer too, although I don't have a lot of time for it anymore........I mostly write social and political commentaries for newspapers, and occasional "personal experience" pieces for magazines. Writing was, and always will be, my first love, but a girl's gotta make a living, you know?;)

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Specializes in Freelance Writer, 'the nurse who knows content'.
Writing was, and always will be, my first love, but a girl's gotta make a living, you know?;)

Exactly.

I have made a modest living as a freelancer, but I don't really have the temperament for it. I need to know when I'm going to be paid, and how much the check will be for. I need to have a scheduled pay period and fringe benefits. I'm not the type who thrives on the uncertainty of where my next meal is coming from!

Also, I happen to like people. I enjoy human interaction. As a freelancer, I mainly interact with others by phone or e-mail. I often feel very isolated.

Still, I do love writing. That's why I'm hoping I'll be able to combine two careers, nursing and freelancing part time.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I'm the same way.........gotta have a steady income. I can't handle the stress of never knowing when or if I'm going to sell an article. Fortunately, I love nursing too, and I think I'll eventually write some stories about the things I've seen and done during my career. I know I can get some great humor pieces out of it---some of the things we deal with in health care are absolutely hilarious!!---although I don't think the general public would appreciate the nuances of a great Code Brown story..........;)

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In my "past life" I wrote (on staff, then freelance) about veterinary issues for horse owners as well as human health for the layperson, and did editing work for nursing journals. Now, as an RN, I've occasionally thought about doing freelance work for some of the nursing mags, but to be honest I'm so worn out by the end of the shift -- and tired of writing progress notes -- that the thought of writing one more word exhausts me! There are a lot of opportunities for the nurse/writer, though, not only for the nursing journals (which I don't think pay very well) but also in the mainstream media. One of the best-paying clients I had was a trade magazine that always had a health-related topic in each issue.

Good luck in both school and your writing/nursing career!

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Specializes in RN, Cardiac Step Down/Tele Unit.

When you start nursing school, see if any of your professors are doing research for journal articles and offer to help. I did this and as a brand new nursing student, I get to co-author an article for a major journal with a noted professor! This is an article he was approached to write, so we are guaranteed publication. It was hard work but will look great on a resume, and since you have experience, I am sure your talents would be very desirable. Good luck!

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

I have done freelance writing in the past too. My experience was the sweat and blood I put into my writing wasn't given adequate compensation. I, too, need to have a steady income. I love writing but I want to pay bills and have something saved up for retirement.

I would be interested in writing for nursing or science journals someday. I first want to have a steady income to fall back on though.

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I've co-written or "Dummified" several of the "Dummies" series books, all medical related; the last was NCLEX-RN for Dummies, which I felt really good about doing because I felt I was really giving back to a profession that's been wonderful(not every minute, of course) to me. I'll never get rich doing these books; the advances are modest--but I love to write and I enjoy seeing my name in print, and I love anything medical. All my childhood dreams have come true with this combination of careers--I still work full time as an RN.

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