Some students going into nursing school may worry if they do not feel they are good at writing. Writing is an essential skill for communicating professionally. Although one may not consider writing when thinking of nursing, it is an integral part of what nurses do. Through writing accurate notes, nurses share data regarding their patients’ conditions and relay valuable information. Writing is a priority skill that will develop in nursing school. This post includes suggestions for improving your writing skills.
First, let’s review the types of writing required in nursing school. General requirements of nursing programs will include English and writing courses of some sort. Most clinical writing is technical, meaning writing to document facts related to patient care. Nurses write to share their assessments, actions, and patient response. Again, this type of writing tends to be short and factual. Inclusion of the medical terminology learned throughout the nursing program is included in this type of writing. With electronic medical records, many aspects of clinical documenting use computer-based forms.
Technology-driven writing is expected in healthcare today. Writing clear and concise emails is another type of writing needed by nurses. Some settings may use texting. Reliance on virtual communication continues to grow in all sectors, including communication. However, spelling and grammar continue to be necessary for clarity and to demonstrate professionalism.
English courses are required for nursing students. Assignments will include writing position papers and essays. At times, nurses will need to complete reports or other documents requiring the ability to develop a paper with an introduction, body, and conclusion. With the variety of work nurses do, educational materials, grant applications, or other documents may need to be developed. Nurses often move to advanced roles such as managers, nurse practitioners, and educators. Writing skills will be essential in the education and practice of these advanced roles.
Luckily, there are tools to help in writing. Of course, one might not see these early English courses as tools, but they are. They help make the rest of the program easier. Also, many schools will have a writing center or learning center to help students. Take advantage of these resources, usually at no extra cost. Some schools may also have online resources to assist students with their academic work. These programs may be available through the course’s online learning management system. Also, your instructors will be providing feedback on written assignments. Review these suggestions and ask for further clarification if needed.
Grammar errors will be highlighted in some ways when writing in word processing programs such as Word or Pages. Pay attention to these suggestions to easily change the wording, spelling, or punctuation as you write. While these programs may not autocorrect the work, they make it relatively easy to make changes.
Other resources include external writing programs or apps such as Grammarly, Hemingway, or Readable that review writing and suggest an improvement. (Many writing resources can be found here.) Basic programs can be used for free, and advanced or premium services are available for a fee. Check your school’s access to resources, however. Some may provide premium resources for students without extra fees.
As you move through the nursing program, you will develop short answers on exams, position papers, research projects, care plans, and a few essays. The adage, “Practice makes perfect,” applies here. Look to these assignments as ways to further develop your thinking and your writing skills. You don’t have to be a great writer to be a nurse, but you do have to learn to communicate effectively with others. Communication, including writing, is a priority in nursing.