Chapter 19

‘The first step is always the hardest.’ Unknown

I am fortunate to have worked with some highly skilled nurses and nurse educators who had an unyielding belief in my ability to succeed, even when I didn’t always believe in myself. Their encouragement enabled my transition from staff nurse to specialist community public health nurse to nurse academic, and now to nurse writer. A skill I only ever dreamt of. Aspirations to be a published author can be fraught with disappointment and frustration and requires a high level of bloody-mindedness to succeed. Thriving on challenges meant I was never going to give up easily and in 2012, I embarked on my journey to become an author.

Having my first paper published without changes, [which is virtually unheard of] co-authored with a nurse academic confirmed I could write. A second paper was also co-published and then she said:

‘You need to go it alone. One day you will help others write and get published, with you as second author’.

This seemed so far out of reach, I just laughed. I wasn’t even ready to go it alone, so how would I possibly help others? Still, it was time to stretch my wings, at least a little, so I contacted the editor at the time of the Occupational Health & Wellbeing Journal who agreed to help me publish, which I did on multiple occasions.

As my success grew, I began to explore other avenues for writing, and managed to open up further opportunities including writing for other specialist journals, presenting at conferences and writing conference proceedings and finally academic blogging. I was even commissioned to write a paper in 2019 for the journal Practice Nursing. I wrote two. It was impressive being invited to write for a journal. And I got paid. I dined off that one for a while.

Much of my writing focuses on nursing leadership and so you can imagine how proud I was that two of my papers have previously been made open access. Open Access allows others [not just those who subscribe to the journal or have access to university libraries] to read my papers.

In March 2021, the RCN offered a free 2-hour literary workshop and an opportunity to have a paper reviewed by an experienced author from the Literary Fund.

This was my feedback

‘I have just had the pleasure of reading your excellent article on servant leadership. You really are a very good writer, clearly highly competent

The next came from a PhD Researcher and a registered nurse based at Ulster University.

‘I am writing to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading your informative article ‘Is there a place for servant leadership in nursing?’ It was encouraging to see this type of leadership highlighted. I have often felt that servant leadership would rectify many of the issues that you raised in your article within the nursing profession, and I have seen it work very well in practice. Not only does it benefit patient outcomes, but it also appears to increase their satisfaction with their care.’

I’d forgotten about both of these. How lovely it is to keep finding these little snippets. I never know which corners of the globe my writing will reach and what influence it will have. Do I?

Identifying avenues for publication is one of the most important aspects of a writers journey. In the last 13 years, I have published in the Nursing Standard; Primary Care; Primary Nursing; Nurse Education in Practice; Nurse Education Today; Occupational Health and Wellbeing and Health and Safety at Work journals, primarily as sole author. And more recently as predicted by my colleague,

I have also supported others to publish, with me as second author. It has been an absolute privilege to be named as the second author on a published paper. My colleague, clearly saw something in me I couldn’t possibly have envisaged at the time.

I have had two further papers accepted recently by the Journal of Community Nursing and Practice Nursing, the former based on the importance of coaching in nursing leadership and the latter on nursing leadership. The theme clearly continues.

Being able to proudly call myself an author is something I never thought possible. In total I have had 18 academic papers published; in excess of 30 academic blogs, and presented at over 20 national and international university conferences, including both Oxford and Cambridge. I also have a chapter in the book District nursing at a Glance.

Blogging has also become a passion. I frequently write about awareness days, promoting such subjects as the importance of cervical screening, patient safety, and dementia care.

So, the next step on my author career ladder is to write a book about weddings and have this published, which is well on its way and one on coaching. Having my own website affords me the opportunity to publish the Chapters for these two books on my website. Please take the time to read them and when you have time I would really value your feedback

I would also like to develop my own writing retreat, although this is a skill I probably need to work on. Writing retreats help writers, sometimes academics, but not always, to develop their writing, sometimes for publication, but again, not always. Academics are meant to publish in high profile, high ranking publications, but either don’t have the time, or simply don’t want to. It is after all a skill that requires nurturing and requires a lot of energy and commitment.

There is always new avenues to open in writing and publication. And in the end I decided I just needed to believe in myself and go for it. Even if my skills need fine tuning, that will happen. No point in waiting until everything is perfect. Nothing ever is.

I’ve decided to attend some short courses to develop my creative writing skills. I am working on three at the minute. I’ve just written a poem, which I refused steadfastly, if only to myself to ever do. It needs some work on it, before I add it to my website, but with the support of my fellow writers, I will get there.

As always, watch this ever-growing, increasingly exciting space!