Calling All Nurses — and Their Fans!
I want to hear your stories.
Nursing Notes is a publication for both nurses and their fans. I welcome writers to submit their health-related stories to the publication.
What to write about
Nurses are fortunate to work in a diverse, multicultural profession. Wherever you live, whatever your job entails, share your caring moments with us.
We face many challenges and rewards in our day-to-day work; moments of frustration, gratitude and mirth. We are selfless, committed and passionate. We are jugglers, advocates, organizers, shoulders, ears — and targets.
Regardless of our personal lives, despite running on empty, ingratitude or hostility, we show up and care for perfect strangers 365 days a year, 24/7.
Share these moments with the focus of your writing being a therapeutic and positive way for you to reflect on your work. Moments that made you laugh or cry.; times that you didn't think you'd make it through a shift or inspired you to do better, the differences and experiences working in other countries.
Showcase the beauty of caregiving through your words.
Not a nurse? Your stories are still welcome!
Many of us have had to spend time in the hospital, whether it’s to give birth, address an illness or injury or support a loved one. Some of you are caregivers to your parents or a chronically ill child.
Tell us about a fantastic experience being cared for by a nurse or seeing the kindness and capabilities while minding a sick relative. Perhaps you have a friend who is a nurse, and a story she shared impacted you?
Topics of interest — but not limited to — include the following:
- Your journey as a nurse
- Specific memorable moments in your career
- The challenges you have faced and how you overcame them
- Survival tips
- Teachable moments
- Funny moments
- Reflections on the past; how things have changed throughout your career
- Thoughts about the future of nursing and the healthcare system
- Travel nursing/nursing in different countries
- A special encounter or experience with a(another) nurse
- A patient or relative’s perspective of nursing
What not to write about
Please do not use this publication to rant, complain, or moan about your day, workplace, or colleagues.
I welcome stories about the crisis many of our healthcare systems are in but with a constructive takeaway rather than a loose end. I want this to be a warm and friendly place, not a political battleground.
Nursing Notes is a publication to spread love and happiness, educate or give a positive spin on a difficult situation that you encountered.
Remember to respect our ethical principles and patient confidentiality. Do not use patient, nurse or colleague's real names or photographs that could identify a person. Refrain from specifying institutional names and your place of work.
If you are commenting on a story, please also be professional and respectful.
How to submit
If you want to become a writer, email me to add you as a writer, or leave a comment on this story with your medium handle so I can find you.
I have a full-time day job, but I will do my best to respond in a timely fashion.
Kindly use the tag 'Nursing Notes' on each piece you submit. If you don't, I will add or change a tag, as the publication files and displays stories based on this tag. The four other tags are at your discretion but should be pertinent to your story.
Writing guidelines
If you are new to Medium, please check out the following link for general rules on writing on the platform and how to format your stories.
Of most importance:
- All photos must be credited to the rightful owner, even if they are your own. There are many free websites available, with the most commonly used being Unsplash and Pixabay.
- Please check your work using a tool such as Grammarly. I will correct some of the more minor issues (e.g. if you don't capitalize your title), but it will be sent back for you to fix if your work is plagued with errors.
- Refrain from using long paragraphs; readers tend to skim over stories formatted this way.
- Submissions should be at least 150 words. Stories that are 4–7 minutes long generally attract more readers than longer ones. You are welcome to submit poetry if you prefer to express yourself that way.
- Ensure you have checked the box to allow private messages on your submissions. Any messages about your work will be posted by this method.
Let's build a community together
Supporting each other's work nurtures growth. Read, clap and comment on published stories to help fellow writers.
Sharing is Caring. Sharing about Caring.
Welcome to Nursing Notes!
