Finding Time to Write as a Freelance Nurse Writer

Nurse freelance writers are earning huge income by working remotely, with flexible hours, using only a laptop, internet connection, and their strong writing and research skills. Many have chosen this path to supplement their nursing income and gain more financial freedom.

Freelance writing offers nurses the opportunity to earn additional income beyond their regular nursing salary. This can be especially appealing for those who face delays in salary pay time or find their earnings depleted before the next pay period.

However, nurses attempting to start a freelance writing business often face difficulties finding time to write. Their schedules are typically packed with long shifts, patient care, documentation, and personal responsibilities (especially for those with families). It can seem challenging to carve out writing time when you're exhausted from the demands of nursing.

Isn't it?

Well, there's a clever way to work around this problem. I've touched on this before in one of my LinkedIn posts, but I don't think I've been clear enough since I continue to get questions about managing time as a nurse-writer.

So today, I want to walk you step-by-step through the process of finding snippets of time to write, even with a hectic nursing schedule.

YOUR HEALTH SHOULDN'T PAY THE PRICE

A red flag: In your quest for multiple income streams, your health shouldn't pay the price. I won't advise any nurse to immediately pick up their phone to write after standing in the theater for 12 hours or after a difficult wound care procedure. You won't even be able to recollect ideas or think properly to pen something down - so eat, reenergize, and let me walk you through how to find time for freelancing.

• Leverage the odd hours of the night

If you are a lover of night shifts, then this is your time to write as much as you can. After the medication administration and while the ward is calm, you can sneak out your phone and start writing.

This night shift, I came across a patient with a Klatskin tumor... Never heard of it before? Pick up your writing materials and research it. It affects the liver and presents itself as jaundice. Don't you think people should be aware of its causes and symptoms?

Quickly scribble it down without looking out for errors to edit - writing freely without judgment hastens your writing process in the little time possible.

• Turn your "ride to work" into a writing session

Whether you're driving or taking public transport, your travels are a store of writing time. If you're driving, use a sound recorder app on your phone to capture your ideas. Speak your thoughts out loud - it might feel strange at first, but don't worry, you'll get used to it.

For those of us who take the bus or train, bring out your phone or a small notepad. Don't look out for the perfect sentences. A bus you followed home from work had a sick patient who had just been discharged, and two weeks later, you saw him in your ward. What could have happened?

Jot down these ideas, outline articles, or even draft rough paragraphs. The key is to use this time productively instead of scrolling through social media.

• Maximize your breaks

I know, I know. Breaks are so precious to us in nursing. But listen... Even a 15-minute break can be writing time if you're prepared. Keep a small notebook or your phone handy. While you're having your Okpa or snack, brainstorm article ideas or write a quick paragraph.

Remember that patient with the Klatskin tumor? Use your break to flesh out the outline you started during your night shift. Add a few key points about symptoms or treatment options.

• Write in chunks

You don't need hours of uninterrupted time to write. In fact, writing in short bursts is incredibly effective. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write as much as you can. Don't worry about whether it's perfect or not - just get your thoughts down.

During a quiet moment in your shift, challenge yourself to write 100 words about a nursing procedure you performed that day. These small writings add up quickly, and before you know it, you'll have the bones of an article waiting to be covered with flesh.

• Use your expertise to your advantage

As a nurse, you have a wealth of knowledge that others don't. Use this to your advantage! After a particularly interesting case or procedure, take five minutes to jot down the key points. What made it unique? What did you learn?

These notes can form the basis of your future articles. Plus, writing about your experiences helps cement your learning and even improve your nursing practice.

• Set realistic goals

Don't expect to write a 2000-word article in one sitting. You're not a robot. Instead, break your writing into manageable parts. Your goal could be to write 200 words a day, or to outline one article per week.

Be kind to yourself. Some days you might exceed your goal, other days you might fall short. That's okay. The important thing is to keep writing consistently, even if it's just a little bit each day.

• Use technology to your advantage

There are plenty of apps designed to help nurses who are venturing to be freelance writers. Try dictation apps that convert your speech to text, or note-taking apps - I enjoy using Day Book. It syncs your writing on your phone to your computer, and you can switch to whichever device you're comfortable with at a particular moment.

This way, you can start an article on your phone during your break and continue on your computer at home.

These strategies have helped me, and I hope they help you too. The goal is to make writing fit into your life as a nurse, not the other way around. With these strategies, you'll find that there's more time to write than you thought possible. It might take some practice and adjustment, but soon you'll be balancing your nursing career with your freelance writing business.

Join Our Community of Health Writers!

Are you excited about the possibilities of combining your nursing expertise with freelance writing? I'm excited to invite you to join our new community of health writers!

As a member, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Connect with other nurses and healthcare professionals who are passionate about writing
• Share your experiences and learn from others who are balancing nursing and writing careers
• Access exclusive resources, tips, and potential writing opportunities
• Participate in writing challenges and workshops designed for healthcare professionals

To join, simply click on this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FqOlIBH2oZ46KZfTUfGy3e

I look forward to seeing you in our community!

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