What To Know on Your Journey To Becoming a Nurse Copywriter
So you’re thinking about becoming a nurse copywriter, or maybe you’ve just started dipping your toes into freelancing and are already feeling a little overwhelmed.
Stepping into the world of copywriting can feel both exciting and, let’s be honest, a bit intimidating. You might be asking yourself: “Where do I start?” … “What should I write about?” … “How much do I charge?” … “How do I actually find clients?” … “What if I’m not good enough and I can’t cut it as a nurse copywriter?” … etc. etc.
I totally get it.
When you’re new to copywriting, especially coming from a nursing background where structure and protocols are 100% necessary 100% of the time, the freelance world can seem a bit … chaotic.
There’s no set path, no one writing orders for you, and no one handing you assignments. Instead, you’re suddenly responsible for everything — finding clients, setting your rates, marketing yourself, and of course, learning how to write compelling copy that actually converts.
It's a lot to take in.
When I first started, I had all the same questions. So of course, there have been a few things I’ve learned along the way (some the hard way 😵💫).
But here’s the thing: those doubts are all part of the process. Every new nurse copywriter has been there, and YES, it’s completely normal to feel like you’re figuring it out as you go. The important part is to keep going, even when you’re not 100% sure of the next step.
If you’re feeling a little lost right now, that’s okay. You’ve already made the decision to explore a new path — one that lets you use your nursing knowledge in a whole new way — sooo, you’ve totally got this.
Now grab a coffee and scroll for a while to learn more about my lessons learned as a nurse copywriter, so you don’t repeat the same mistakes I made. 🤓
Here’s What To Know on Your Journey To Becoming a Nurse Copywriter
1 | Copywriter vs. Content Writer: They Are NOT The Same Thing
I hear nurses talking about becoming health and wellness copywriters all the time, but what most nurses don’t realize is that a health and wellness “copywriter” is misleading. More often than not, nurses diving into writing for the health and wellness industry are content writers, not copywriters.
But let’s be real for a sec: when I first started my journey to becoming a nurse copywriter, I legit thought copywriting and content writing were just fancy terms for the same thing. (I know, I know … facepalm 😅).
So, juuust in case you’re in the same boat as I was: they’re not.
Copywriting is about selling. Think ads, landing pages, and product descriptions. It's the stuff that’s designed to get people to take action, whether that’s converting to a paying customer, signing up for a newsletter, or booking a consult.
Content writing, on the other hand, is all about educating, entertaining, or informing. Think blog posts, articles, white papers — that kinda vibe. Content builds trust over time, but it's not trying to make a hard sale right off the bat.
Understanding the difference between these two types of writing can help you better tailor your message, achieve your goals, and build an audience that returns to your content again and again.
BUT just because there may be some confusion between the two terms doesn’t mean you can’t do both as a nurse copywriter. Combining these two disciplines allows you to create calls to action that capture your reader’s attention and inspire them to take the desired action.
So while these two skills are different, they can be used together to create effective and powerful calls to action — both copywriting and content writing are essential tools to have in your arsenal as a nurse copywriter.
2 | Make Writing a Habit
I’m sure you’ve heard the age-old saying, “Practice makes perfect.”
Well, maybe practicing will never get us to the ever-elusive “perfect” but it turns out there’s some truth in that saying, if we switch out “perfect” with “progress.”
Practice creates progress.
Even if you don’t see progress right away, practicing a skill every day is incredibly powerful. Not only does it help improve your abilities over time, but it also builds discipline and dedication.
Think about it — if you only practiced when you were in the mood or when it was convenient, you might pick up a pen here or there “when you have the time” but you’d never make any real progress. If you commit to practicing every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes, you’ll start to see results (even if it feels like it’s going at a snail’s pace).
Staying consistent is key to your progress — I know, I hear the groan from here, but I’m sorry to say, it really is key. 🫣
And in the words of Marie Forleo, “I win, and I learn. But I do not lose.”
Come to your computer every day to write, research, and learn. Make it a habit, stay dedicated, and don’t give up. No matter what — even if you don’t achieve all your copywriting and business goals — you will not lose.
You will learn valuable lessons and use that experience to propel yourself forward so you can create the career and life you love.
3 | Freelancing Is a Business (And You’re the CEO)
When I first became a nurse copywriter and started freelance, I had this vision of endless flexibility, no clocking in, and all the freedom to work when and where I wanted. And while some of that is true, I quickly realized that freelancing isn’t just writing at your favorite coffee shop or taking off to the coast just to play in the sand for the day.
Freelancing is a business. And that means you’re not just the nurse copywriter — you’re also the CEO, accountant, marketing manager, admin assistant, etc. There’s invoicing to handle, contracts to draft, taxes to figure out (ugh, the taxes!), and clients to find. You’re running a one-nurse operation, and that comes with a whole lot of responsibilities you may not be prepared for at first.
But once I embraced that mindset shift — treating freelancing as a business and not just a side hustle — everything started to click. I set up systems for myself, started tracking my time, and learned how to say “no” when a project didn’t align with my goals.
It hasn’t always been easy, but recognizing that I was really in charge of my business made all the difference. It empowered me to set boundaries, manage my workload better, and ultimately grow my business.
Spend the time to level up your skills just as you would for bedside care — you are in charge of your own professional development and your business, and if you want to transition from nurse to copywriter, take responsibility for leveraging and leveling up your current skills.
4 | Building a Killer Portfolio Is Non-Negotiable
Here’s something I wish I’d known early on: your portfolio is everything when it comes to landing clients.
In the beginning, I felt stuck because I didn’t have any samples to show. I’d think, “How am I supposed to get clients without a portfolio, and how do I build a portfolio without clients?” It’s the very same classic catch-22 I’m sure you’re familiar with when you’re trying to apply for a specialty you’ve never worked in.
What I learned is that you don’t have to wait for paying clients to build your portfolio. You can create mock projects, offer to write guest blog posts, or collaborate with colleagues or small businesses for a testimonial and portfolio piece.
In fact, I got some great exposure early on by writing a guest post for another nurse writer’s website. Not only did I get a byline and a backlink to my website (super valuable for SEO), but it also gave me a legitimate sample to show future clients.
But remember, your portfolio is more than just a collection of writing samples. It’s a reflection of the kind of work you want to do and the clients you want to attract. So tailor your portfolio assets to your niche — whether that’s healthcare, wellness, patient advocacy, climate change, home goods, etc. — and focus on showing your unique expertise as a nurse and a copywriter.
5 | Cold Pitching Doesn’t Have To Be Icky
Trust me, cold pitching gives me the heebie-jeebies too 🤢— and to be honest, I decided to step away from cold pitching early on because it just didn’t feel aligned to how I wanted to run my business. But that doesn’t mean cold pitching can’t work for you.
When I first started out on my journey to becoming a nurse copywriter, you could absolutely find me in the corner somewhere in a cold sweat and freaking panicked about reaching out to people I didn’t know to try to sell them on my services.
The idea of emailing someone out of the blue to ask for work can feel a little uncomfortable, especially when you’re just starting out. But here’s something that might surprise you: cold pitching doesn’t have to feel icky or sales-y, and it can actually be a really effective way to land clients if you put in the numbers.
The key is to approach cold pitching from a place of service, not sales. Instead of sending out a generic email blasting your services, take the time to research the business or person you’re pitching. Understand their needs, and then offer a solution that shows you’ve thought about how you can help.
With a well-crafted pitch and a willingness to put in the effort, cold pitching can be a valuable tool in increasing your network and scaling your freelance business.
6 | Try Not To Be a Multi-Passionate Human to a Fault
I’m pretty sure most of us are multi-passionate these days and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. However, when you’re first starting out in freelance copywriting, I bet you’re wanting to learn ALL things, do ALL the things, and write ALL the things.
If you’re anything like me, you might start out researching copywriting and then next thing you know you’ve signed yourself up for a web design course.
Been there, done that. 🤪
You’re not alone in wanting to learn as much as you can and then becoming overwhelmed in a sea of information overload. You start out really strong and then it slowly fizzles because there’s just too much to learn.
Being multi-passionate can be overwhelming in this way, because it can be difficult to balance interests and commitments, leading to burnout and decreased productivity. But if you’re honest with yourself, it can be challenging to focus on one area of interest and achieve mastery in that field if attention is constantly divided.
Figure out what you actually enjoy writing about and then choose one or two industries to start out with, because your other passions and areas of interest aren’t just going to go away. You can add them into your services or pivot entirely later if you want.
It’s important to prioritize and focus on your more relevant passions (aka writing in this example), while still allowing room for exploration and growth in other areas (like actually getting into web design after you’ve mastered copywriting). With balance and intention, being multi-passionate can lead to a fulfilling and successful career.
7 | Network, Network, Network
When you’re just starting out as a nurse copywriter, it’s easy to think that success comes down to how well you write. And while writing is at the core of what you do, one of the biggest lessons I learned early on is this: networking is just as important as your skill set.
You might be thinking, “Networking? But I’m a writer — I can just stay behind my laptop and let my work speak for itself, right?”
I used to think that too.
But the reality is, the connections you make can fast-track your copywriting career in ways you wouldn’t expect. Networking helps you tap into new opportunities, gain insights from those who’ve been in your shoes, and most importantly, find clients.
When I started out, I was all about doing things on my own — writing in isolation, endlessly tweaking my portfolio, hoping clients would magically find me. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. It wasn’t until I began reaching out to others in the field — joining Facebook groups, attending virtual webinars, and connecting with other nurse entrepreneurs on LinkedIn — that things really started to take off.
Here’s why networking matters:
It opens doors to new clients: Word of mouth is powerful, and a lot of freelance work comes from referrals. Getting to know others in your industry can lead to partnerships, guest posts, or even direct referrals to paying gigs.
It offers mentorship and advice: When you’re new, it can feel like you’re stumbling around in the dark. Connecting with more experienced nurse copywriters, writers, or entrepreneurs helps you avoid some of those early pitfalls, and trust me, their advice is gold.
It creates a support system: Freelancing can be lonely. Having a network of people who understand the highs and lows of this journey makes a huge difference when you hit roadblocks or just need a bit of encouragement.
Networking doesn’t mean you have to attend endless conferences or hand out business cards to everyone you meet. It can be as simple as joining online communities, sending a quick email to someone whose work you admire, or reaching out to peers in similar fields. The key is to start building those connections now. Over time, they’ll help you grow your business and your confidence.
So, You’ve Learned the Skills To Be a Nurse Copywriter, Now What?
Once you’ve developed your skills — whether it's writing persuasive copy, building a portfolio, or mastering client outreach — it’s time to put them into action. As a nurse, your career possibilities are endless, especially when you’re willing and ready to redefine what it means to be a nurse.
It’s easy to get caught up in the traditional paths laid out for us by society or big healthcare corporations. But the beauty of stepping into something like nurse copywriting is that you don’t have to follow those paths.
You can create your own.
You can walk a nontraditional road and still be incredibly successful, and the key to that success lies in leveraging the skills you’ve already honed at the bedside. Your ability to communicate clearly, educate with empathy, and break down complex information is golden in the copywriting world.
When you combine those clinical skills with your new business and marketing know-how, you become unstoppable. You’re no longer “just a nurse” — you’re an entrepreneur, a writer, and a purpose-driven business owner. You’re one step closer to turning your career into something you’re truly passionate about while still making a positive impact in your community.
I know you still care deeply about your patients, and your bedside experience has been life-changing. But it’s also okay to want more — more balance, more fulfillment, more flexibility. And the best part? You can have it all. You can be a nurse, take care of your own health, scale a business you believe in, and still serve the people you love.
Hindsight is always 20/20, but if I had known back then what I know now, I would have started my nurse copywriting journey so. much. sooner.
So now that you have the skills, the only thing left to do is take that next step — the path is yours to create, after all. 💗
Ready to redefine what it means to be a nurse and scale the business of your dreams with connection-worthy copy?