A Day in the Life: The Schedule of a Freelance Nurse Writer

I quit bedside nursing after needing a break for my health. Luckily, there are many alternatives to working in a busy hospital unit.

Ever wonder what nurse writers actually do all day? Here’s my real-life schedule.

Note: This daily schedule reflects my life as a freelance nurse writer about four years ago. Since then, my career has evolved, and I continue to work remotely. I share this schedule to help you understand the journey and options available outside bedside nursing.

My nurse writer schedule

Working from home means no more night shifts, cold meals, or missed bedtime cuddles. But what does a typical day actually look like?

My typical day as a nurse writer

After years of bedside nursing and midwifery, I made the leap to freelance nurse writing. It wasn’t easy, but it gave me the balance and freedom I desperately needed. I’ve built a flexible, fulfilling schedule that fits my life and values. Here’s a glimpse into a typical day for me.

My morning routine

My daily schedule varies because I do a little of everything, ensuring I never get bored. A typical day involves dropping my children off at school, sipping coffee while checking my email, and creating my game plan for the day.

I start my work and write while my brain is at its most creative. I write medical content ranging from blogs to email campaigns to nursing tests.

I use a calendar app to set my availability for client meetings, starting a new writing project, discussing progress, or wrapping up the campaign. These calls are crucial to writing in the client’s tone and aligning with their vision. My clients include large health systems, nursing test prep companies, post-secondary education institutions, and digital health firms.

After lunch, I research and outline upcoming articles. I take a break to pick up my children and start homework. After dinner, I recheck my email and do a few hours of medical editing or consulting.

Instead, depending on the day, I may conduct virtual teaching, provide telehealth services, perform remote patient monitoring, or send email pitches. I can always attend dental and doctor appointments because my career offers flexibility. I can walk while listening to a podcast for research or write from a balcony overlooking the ocean. In fact, I’ve done both in the last few weeks!

Being a freelance nurse writer is fulfilling, but my favorite aspect is the flexibility that allows for a better work-life balance. My favorite place to work was the balcony of the Holiday Inn at Jekyll Island. I was at my most productive listening to the surf crash as my fingers flew over the keyboard.

Final Thoughts

The biggest problem with being a nurse is that it feels more like a part of your identity than just a job. If you’re asking yourself, “Should I leave bedside nursing?” (Here’s what happened when I did.) Trust me, you are not alone.

Walking away can feel like you’re letting down your co-workers, family, or childhood dreams.

There are many ways to be a nurse, and not all require being at the bedside. If you like the idea of working the daily schedule of a nurse writer, follow the path that best works for you.

Flexible nursing jobs are still nursing jobs. Download this free guide to explore flexible, rewarding nursing roles that don’t keep you at the bedside: roles you might never have known existed!

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