Welcome to the remote world of medical writing. Nurses are field experts within the medical
writing world and are sought after for out high-level knowledge about the clinical world. We
blend practical knowledge with the ability to find evidence-based information to produce a
tailored document for our target audience.
Medical writing is a diverse world, with several different niches. Creative minds, analytical
minds, and intellectuals can all thrive as medical writers. You just need to find your niche.
Luckily, medical writing is a world-wide market with a large pool of clients.
As a medical writer, you could work for a pharmaceutical giant drafting regulatory documents to
bring their medication or treatment to the general population. You could work with a small
physician to write their website and craft the blogs that drive traffic to their practice. Or, you
could write the television ads welcoming new patrons to the opening of a new healthcare facility
in the area.
This course will provide you with the blueprint to start your business as a medical writer. We will
go over the steps to becoming a business owner, how to find clients, and some of the different
types of writing you could do. You will learn the different branches of medical writing, how to set
your rates, and pick your niche. We will end with a scenario that walks you through landing a
client.
Learning Objectives of the Medical Writing Program:
1. List the 5 main methods of client acquisition.
2. Understand how to build your portfolio.
3. Review the major steps to setting up your business.
4. Differentiate between a regular resume and a writing resume.
5. Understand the 2 components that go into a Niche and how we pick our Niches..
6. Navigate the major deliverables to choose a Niche.
7. Review the difference between a discovery call and an interview.
By the end of this program, you will understand what a medical writer does, and how to set up
your own medical writing business. You will be prepared to acquire clients, navigate the
freelance market and successfully pick your niche.
For further support, we offer 1:1 coaching with Janelle McSwiggin, a freelance writer with 6
years of experience in a variety of niches.
About the Instructor:
Janelle McSwiggin, MSN, RN was always drawn to the written word. As a child she wrote
songs, stories, and always had an inner monologue. As an adult, she chose to be a nurse,
following in her mother’s footsteps. At the bedside, she was a pediatric, special needs nurse.
Like so many other nurses, she burned out.
Looking for a way to supplement her income without sacrificing her wellbeing, Janelle rekindled
her love of writing. She dove into the medical writing world 6 years ago and never looked back.
Her clients include pharmaceutical giants, GoodRX, Haymarket, and Health.com. Now, she
hosts the Nursing Now Podcast to encourage other nurses to follow their dreams.
When she’s not writing, you can find her stargazing, skiing, camping, or in a body of water.
Janelle is an aerial artist and practices with a circus, flying on the silks. She enjoys spending
time with her lizards, birds, and husband on their property in New England. Connect with her on
LinkedIn or check out her website to learn more.