Intensive Care, Outpatient Surgery, Aesthetics, Education, and Nursing Leadership
Are you a nurse who has always wanted to get into blogging but didn‘t know how? Do you want to add ‘blogger’ to your list of credentials, and diversify your nursing resume? Blogging is a great way to share your knowledge, experience-acquired opinions, and connect to/inspire other nurses. While it seems like a challenging hobby to some, I will make it easy-peasy by going over the steps it takes! If you’re wondering how to start blogging as a nurse, this article will help you get started doing something fun, all using the knowledge you already have!
This can seem way more daunting and complicated than it actually is. As a nurse, you are living and experiencing ‘bloggable‘ topics every day.
1. Pick a Topic
This can seem way more daunting and complicated than it actually is. As a nurse, you are living and experiencing “bloggable“ topics every day. With a little practice and attention, blog topics can come easily and often. A good way to start is by thinking about what you discuss with your nurse and healthcare friends. Some questions you can ask yourself to get the creative juices flowing include:
Is there a recent change to nursing laws or licensures in your state that will make life easier or harder for you?
Is there an outdated practice or policy that nurses are rallying against?
Are there safety or morale concerns that continue to be overlooked?
Have you discovered a unique “life hack” for balancing work and personal life that can help other nurses?
The more questions you ask yourself, the more blog topics you‘ll likely stumble upon. For more information on topic selection, check out our Nursing & Healthcare Guide to Blog Writing for Beginners.
2. Pick a Writing Style
How to start blogging as a nurse often involves a deep refresher on general writing techniques and flow. English grammar and writing index Grammarly explains the four main styles of writing, which depending on your topic, a blog article could theoretically fall into any. These writing formats include:
Expository Writing– Includes many facts, is short on storytelling and literary quips, and has a main objecting of informing a reader, rather than changing a reader‘s mind.
Descriptive Writing– Uses metaphors and analogies, and focuses on experiences, descriptions, and minute details. This format is often used in pieces of poetry, diary entries, and long articles that allow for in-depth descriptions.
Narrative Writing– Tells a story, whether it be a real or fictional one. This style can be found in books, magazine feature articles, and biographies.
Persuasive Writing– This writing method does exactly what it sounds like. It persuades a reader to evaluate and hopefully agree with, a certain perspective or argument. This writing style can be found in academic papers, advertising, editorials, and more. It also often requires factual elements of Expository Writing and personality and perspective/analysis of Narrative Writing to create a compelling argument.
3. Choose Your Blog Name & Get Your Hosting Site
There are blogging platforms like Blooger.com and Tumblr.com, however, almost every serious blogger uses a self-hosted WordPress site because of its flexibility and creativeness. You must also register your domain with a host, such as the free provider Bluehost.
Choosing a domain name is extremely important because it sets the tone of your blog and creates that magical first impression with your reader. So, what do you want to call it? Make it something catchy. It’s always in the name for me!
4. Write Compelling Content to Collaborate, Inspire & Spread Knowledge
Now that you are to this point in the process, it is time to write about things that spark your interest and that inspire you. Maybe the content is based on your background in nursing, or maybe it’s a lesson learned, or even a ‘how-to’. Whatever it is, make it amazing!
Turn your vision into a reality. Make sure you include these elements:
Another important reminder when starting a nursing blog is to always remember to maintain the integrity of the profession.
Many nurses are burnt out and have strong opinions on how they have been treated poorly, and may be tempted to vent upon the negatives of the profession. But don’t. Remember that patients, family members, and employers can all see this once it is posted online. Keep that in mind as you post content and images. Constructive critisism, reflections, ideas, and ways to improve a nursing situation is different than using your blog as an outlet to trash talk.
I hope this gives you little insight into how to start a nursing blog. I can’t wait to see what you all create!
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