Reinventing Your Career When It Feels Like You’re Starting Over

By Elizabeth Hanes BSN RN 
Freelance health journalist and founder of RN2writer 

Elizabeth is a nurse turned six-figure freelance writer. Her work has appeared in WebMD, Verywell Health, Cardinal Health, and many other major healthcare brands and publications. She now helps nurses transition to freelance writing through RN2writer - an accredited provider of Continuing Nursing Education. 

Let’s be real: Reinventing your career can feel a lot like starting from scratch. Especially when you’re leaving a profession like nursing, where you’ve built years of experience, trust, and identity. 

So if you’re thinking of pivoting to freelance writing and feeling scared, disoriented, or even foolish? That’s normal. 

But let’s challenge the "starting over" narrative. Because you’re not starting from zero—you’re starting from experience. 

You Are Not a Beginner (Even if It Feels That Way) 

In the world of health writing, your nursing background is gold. You know: 

• How to explain complex health topics in simple terms 

• What patients and caregivers really worry about 

• The realities of hospital systems, public health, and chronic illness 

Even if you’ve never written an article before, your clinical and lived knowledge gives you a huge advantage. Health brands and editors want writers who understand the healthcare ecosystem from the inside. 

Reinvention Feels Hard Because It Is 

You might feel like a fish out of water. That’s okay. Starting anything new requires courage and vulnerability. And in a culture that praises linear career paths, stepping off the traditional track can feel isolating. 

But you’re not alone. Thousands of nurses have made this leap. And many say it was the best decision they ever made. 

How to Start Reinventing Without Burning Out 

You don’t have to go all-in overnight. At RN2writer, we believe in sustainable transitions. Here are some low-pressure ways to begin: 

• Join our newsletter to stay inspired and informed 

• Write a sample blog post on a health topic you love 

• Browse freelance writing gigs just to see what’s out there 

• Take our beginner-friendly course or start with our ebook 

These small steps build confidence and clarity over time. 

Give Yourself Credit 

Reinvention isn’t failure. It’s growth. It takes guts to say, "This chapter is ending. I want something else." 

You’re allowed to evolve. In fact, it’s deeply human. 

Rewrite the Narrative 

Instead of saying "I'm starting over," try saying: 

• "I'm expanding my career." 

• "I'm repurposing my skills." 

• "I'm building something new on a strong foundation." 

Because all of that is true. 

Yes, you might be new to writing. But you’re not new to healthcare. You’re not new to compassion. And you’re certainly not new to solving problems under pressure. 

That makes you exactly the kind of writer clients want. 

Let This Be the Year You Say Yes 

Yes to trying. Yes to trusting yourself. Yes to taking the next small step. 

Download the Design Your Dream Career as a Nurse Writer ebook. It’s your gentle guide to figuring out what’s next—without pressure, without hustle, and without starting from scratch. 

You’re not too late. You’re right on time.