From the Editor's perspective …

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• Cindy Lewis, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC

Are writing skills important for nursing and nurses?

Absolutely! To keep abreast of change, professionals must share information through writing and publishing. Nursing practice should be evidence based, and many nurses are involved in generating evidence about their practices, whether through practice development projects, literature reviews to find the best evidence for their particular specialty or carrying out research themselves. We need to share our knowledge so that others can benefit from our efforts and we can learn from each other on a worldwide basis.

Achieving technical mastery of writing is particularly necessary for health care professionals. As knowledge increases in a specialty, the information to be relayed from one generation to the next grows more complex, demanding growth in the power of individuals to communicate knowledge. In addition, nursing's future position in the health care system depends greatly on how effectively nurses communicate developments in the profession to colleagues, other healthcare professionals, government and regulatory agencies and the public. Furthermore, individual career advancement may depend on possessing writing skills.

Yet, why is it that nurses who realize the importance of writing may avoid putting down on paper that article they have been thinking about for months or years? After editing this nursing Journal, I have concluded that many nurses see themselves as unable to write and feel helpless when confronted with the process and that they are usually unfamiliar with the mechanics of being published.

Nurses need access to the special body of knowledge within their specialties. Effective writing is a skill, not a gift endowed on a select group. Never say you cannot write. Anyone who can pass a state board licensing exam in nursing can also learn to communicate effectively via the written word. Don't underestimate yourself! It's simply a matter of learning and applying certain principles. You just need to know and use the principles of clear writing. Your first writing effort can be publishable. The purpose of your writing is communication. Your article does not have to be imaginative or colorful, but it does have to communicate your message plainly through logical organization and application of the principles of clear writing.

Ten simple principles for clear and effective writing include:

Choose your idea, determine the scope of your article and the type of article you would like to write, review the literature and develop your plan. Write the main headings of your article and subheadings in an outline format. Review our Journal guidelines and put the pen to the paper! Next, prepare to write your article. Consider sharing your best practice initiatives, outcome data, research, or case studies or plans of care. We are here to help you through the process and mentor you through the steps of writing and publishing. Call me. E-mail me. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Reference 

1. Oermann MH. Writing for publication in nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002;
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