How to Become a Nurse Writer
Nurse writers use their clinical experience to craft health content designed to inform and educate. The steps to become a nurse writer include education, testing, and licensing, after which nurse writers can gain clinical experience and begin writing. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a nurse writer, and where to start.
Become a Nurse Writer in 7 Steps
To become a nurse writer, candidates must first become licensed registered nurses (RNs). While not mandatory, they can pursue higher education and certification in a specialty.
4
Work as a Registered Nurse
Before an RN can begin work as a nurse writer, they must first gain a few years of bedside clinical experience. Any field can provide helpful experience for a future career in health content writing.
5
Start Writing
After spending some time at the bedside, nurses can begin looking for work. They may build a portfolio through a free blogging site or offer to write pro bono for a company to build their library of work. Nurse writers may apply to in-house positions at health publications, or they may work freelance, writing for several clients concurrently.
6
Earn Nurse Writer Certification
Nurse writers may pursue specialty certification through the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA). While not required for work in this field, specialty certification can make candidates more desirable to potential employers.
Schooling Requirements for Nurse Writers
Nurse writers may work as RNs, or they may pursue advanced degrees, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). While most positions don’t require high-level degrees, they may offer higher compensation and more opportunities.
Associate Degree in Nursing
An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become a nurse writer with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.
Time to Complete
18 months to 2 years
Clinical Hours
190 to 900*
Pros
- Earn a nursing degree in less than two years
- Less competitive than a BSN
- Lower cost than a BSN
Cons
- May limit job opportunities compared to a BSN
- Must obtain a BSN before pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree
*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Central New Mexico Community College, Teaching and Learning in Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) gives future nurse writers a well-rounded education experience. Typically completed over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.
Clinical Hours
160 to 750*
Pros
- More likely to pass NCLEX on the first attempt (82.32% with a BSN vs. 77.91% with an ADN)
- Easier to find work in highly specialized environments like gerontology or neonatology
- Higher salary than an ADN
Cons
- Takes longer to complete than an ADN
- More competitive than an ADN
- More expensive than an ADN
*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Forbes Advisor, Teaching and Learning in Nursing, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
A BSN prepares future nurse writers to handle a high level of critical thinking. This degree teaches high-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.
Master of Science in Nursing
A Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, can be earned in two years, but many students continue to work throughout the program, which increases time to completion.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. This program takes longer than an MSN but may offer higher salaries and more opportunities.
Nurse Writer Licensing
Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Nurse writers must apply for a registered nurse license to practice as RNs and gain bedside experience. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.
NCLEX-RN
The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity
Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.
Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal
Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.
In most states, RNs must renew their license every two years after initial licensure. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a wealth of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.
Specialty Certification
Nurse writer positions do not generally require typical clinical certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). However, nurse writers may choose to pursue specialty certifications through the Medical Writing Certification Commission (MWCC), which partnered with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) to develop the Medical Writer Certified (MWC) credential.
Where Do Nurse Writers Work?
Nurse writers can find employment with many types of publications:
- Patient/public-facing health content
- B2B (business-to-business) content for health professionals
- Research journals
- Medical grant writing
- Copywriting
Most nurse writing positions can be done remotely, although some publications may require a hybrid schedule. Nurse writers may work for one employer as staff writers or as entrepreneurs and write for several clients at once.
FAQs: How to Become a Nurse Writer
1. What education is needed to become a nurse writer?
Nurse writers must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They can pursue a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
2. How many years does it take to become a nurse writer?
The time it takes to become a nurse writer depends on which degree one pursues, but it may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree, plus bedside experience.
3. What are the steps to become a nurse writer?
To become a nurse writer, candidates must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps, they may gain bedside experience and apply to in-house staff writer positions or search for clients on a freelance basis.
4. How much do nurse writers make an hour?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse writers earn an average of $42.11 per hour, which equals about $87,590 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree may be able to earn more.
