From stall to start: Don’t let fear stop you from writing

From stall to start: Don’t let fear stop you from writing

By Kathleen T. Heinrich

Stymied when you try to write? Can’t get your thoughts on paper? Break the writing barrier by applying these proven strategies. Stories? Do nurses have stories! So, with all the writing material we accumulate in a day, why don’t more of us write about the amazing things we do?  We say we lack the time or the credentials (Steefel, 2007), when really what we lack is self-confidence, know-how or support (Heinrich, 2008). Whether you want to write a narrative for clinical advancement, an article for publication or an abstract for a conference presentation, find out what’s slowing your progress. Kelley, Rhett and Jennifer are three nurses who are seeking ways to move their writing projects from stall to start. In the stories that follow, note how their fondest wishes and their greatest fears unmask specific writing challenges. What helps them overcome roadblocks to writing just might work for you. KelleyKelley’s been a nurse for 10 years, and her manager is encouraging her to pursue clinical advancement. Kelley’s stumbling block is writing a clinical narrative that showcases her nursing care. She tells her manager: “Every time I think of a story, I get all excited. Then I ask myself, ‘What did I do for that patient and family that any nurse wouldn’t do?’ Poof! My excitement’s gone and I’m back to square one.” Kelley’s fondest wish: If I could pinpoint what’s special about the care I give, it would be easier to write my clinical narrative.  Her greatest fear: I know I’m a good nurse, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to find the words to convince reviewers that my practice merits clinical advancement. Kelley’s writing challenge is lack of confidence in her ability to do verbal justice to the quality of her nursing care. RhettNursing is a second career for Rhett. After trying his hand at real estate, he returned to school and recently graduated with his BSN. Not only is it a relief for Rhett to have a steady paycheck and regular hours, but he’s also loving his first nursing job. A journalist from the local newspaper asks him to write a short piece about finding a new career in tough economic times. Rhett knows he’s the perfect person to write the article; he’s just not sure where to begin. Rhett’s fondest wish: If I just had a framework to follow, writing this article could be fun. His greatest fear: I’ll spin my wheels, and all I’ll have to show for it is a wastebasket full of crummy drafts that never get published. Rhett’s not lacking self-confidence. His writing challenge is lack of know-how. He doesn’t have a systematic approach to writing. JenniferJennifer is an energetic school nurse who is passionate about “green cleaning.” She wants to present a poster at her state organization’s upcoming conference to help school nurses educate students about safe environmental practices that keep their carbon footprints small and their health strong. The only hitch is writing the one-page abstract that sells conference planners on her poster idea. Jennifer knows that, if she spoke with them for five minutes, they’d be begging for her poster, but her problem is writing an abstract that’s irresistible.  Jennifer’s fondest wish: If I could talk my ideas out with someone, I might be able to write an abstract that’s persuasive enough to be accepted. Her greatest fear: I won’t be able to get the word out about something I really care about, because I can’t write like I speak. Jennifer’s writing challenge is lack of support from colleagues or friends. What’s your writing challenge?As you read about these nurses’ writing projects, whose wish sounded the most like yours? Was it Kelley’s search for what makes her nursing care special, Rhett’s desire for a systematic approach or Jennifer’s yearning for someone to listen? What, in other words, is your fondest wish for your writing project?  What’s your greatest fear? Lack of self-confidence? Lack of know-how? Lack of support? A combination of these? Naming your greatest fear(s) can help you anticipate writing challenges. Now that you’ve identified your writing challenge, let’s find out how these three nurses trounce their challenges. Strategies for breaking the writing barrierDuring the last 20 years, I’ve developed strategies that help nurses meet writing challenges by allowing their wishes to overcome their fears. Applying these strategies move Kelley, Rhett and Jennifer’s writing projects from stall to start.  To bolster her self-confidence, Kelley rereads notes and letters from grateful patients and families in search of words or phrases that describe her “something special” (Heinrich, 2008). The phrase “caring for the whole family” pops up everywhere and resonates with Kelley’s sense of what’s special about the care she gives. With this knowledge, she’s prepared to write a clinical narrative that showcases the special kind of care she provides. Rhett compensates for his lack of know-how by identifying the four essentials common to all writing projects—idea, reader, vehicle and slant. Focusing on a single idea, he writes for a particular group of readers who read a specific vehicle, and he communicates his idea using a slant or angle that his audience can’t resist (Heinrich, 2008). For the article he has been asked to write, Rhett identifies the following: Single idea: Finding a new career in tough economic times Particular group of readers: Those who read our local newspaper Specific vehicle: Our local newspaper Slant: Retooling tips for the resilient in a rough economy Identifying these four essentials upfront helps keep Rhett’s writing project on topic. Jennifer is an extrovert who does her best thinking out loud. Unfortunately, her usual circle of colleagues and friends is not providing the sounding board she needs. To compensate for that lack of support and make writing the abstract a social activity, she seeks out a good listener who asks insightful questions and tape-records their conversation.  From the recording of that verbal give-and-take, Jennifer crafts an abstract that describes her poster. She refines her draft by soliciting feedback from a colleague known for writing winning conference abstracts. Jennifer enjoys these interactions so much that she decides to turn her poster presentation into an article for her organization’s newsletter—with the help, that is, of a few good listeners and peer editors. Two important questionsThe next time you want to move a writing project from stall to start, ask yourself two questions: What is my fondest wish for this project? What is my greatest fear? Your responses will tell you whether you’re lacking self-confidence, know-how or support. This lack is your writing challenge. Refer back to your wish, and you’ll find the clue for compensating for this deficiency. Make up for what’s lacking, and you are well on the way to overcoming your writing challenge. As you do, you’ll catch a glimpse of how writing can open up new career opportunities, touch lives far beyond your workplace and influence the profession in ways that nothing else can. Don’t let your nursing stories go untold! Allow your wishes to overcome your fears, so you can write about the amazing things you do every day. RNL   Kathleen Heinrich  Educator, author and speaker Kathleen T. Heinrich, RN, PhD, is principal of K T H Consulting in Guilford, Connecticut, and author of the book A Nurses’ Guide to Presenting and Publishing: Dare to Share.