Wants to start a proofreading and medical content writing business

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Dear Nurse Beth,

I have been a nurse for 17 years. I recently injured myself and cannot return to the bedside, so I decided to open up a medical content and proofreading business. Do you have any ideas or suggestions for how to get this business up and running?

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Injured, 

I'm sorry about your injury, but often good things come out of unexpected circumstances.  This could be a good option for you especially since so many of these types of jobs are remote.

Proofreaders check publications for errors before content is published or printed.  Medical writers and content developers create evidence-based content.

Skills needed for healthcare proofreaders and medical content developers include good Office skills with proficiency in Word and PowerPoint and an eye for detail. They both require an excellent knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation. 

The best thing for you is to get some experience. Register with Indeed.com to start getting notifications about jobs you can apply for. 

Another way is through your specialty organization. If you are not a member, join now and get involved. Sometimes opportunities present, such as the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) looking for members to contribute to a newsletter, or to answer questions in one of their columns using evidence-based information. Volunteer positions can lead to increased visibility and contacts.

If you are certified in your specialty, it adds credibility to your expertise.

My specialty organization, the Association of Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) sometimes looks for test writers and contributors to their board exam.

In this way, I've landed test content development and other writing jobs from ANPD and ANA.  Likewise, ANCC offers opportunities for subject matter experts and content experts. Just go on their website and you can register yourself as a subject matter expert. Again, you might consider doing some volunteer work for the experience.

I have also developed content, revised content, and developed test questions for HealthStream.  Relias and HealthStream are both large companies that produce learning products for nurses.

Visit the entrepreneurs-innovators-hub here on-site for more ideas. A couple of members here are successful freelance writers, including Elizabeth Hanes and Janine Kelbach. I highly recommend reading their articles here on site.

As far as starting a business, it could benefit you in terms of taxes. You can contact the Small Business Administration and find out how to register locally. In all honesty, gaining experience through free-lancing should be your first priority over starting a business.

Best wishes and good luck! Let me know if there are any more questions I can help you with.

Nurse Beth

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