Stop Waiting for a Sign: How to Know It’s Time to Begin

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. 

So many nurses come to RN2writer saying the same thing: "I keep waiting for a sign. Something to tell me it’s the right time to make a change." 

Here’s what I tell them: The fact that you’re thinking about it IS the sign. 

There is no golden buzzer, no cosmic billboard that will scream "Go be a writer!" Most of us who reinvent our careers don’t get some lightning bolt of clarity. We simply reach a point where staying stuck becomes more painful than trying something new. 

What a "Sign" Really Looks Like 

Sometimes signs don’t look magical. They look like: 

• Crying in the hospital parking lot 

• Feeling numb when a patient codes 

• Wondering how your soul will survive another 12-hour shift 

• Dreaming of a flexible career but telling yourself you’re not qualified 

If you’ve been feeling these things? That’s a sign. 

If you’ve Googled "how to become a nurse writer" more than once? That’s a sign. 

If you downloaded our ebook but haven’t opened it yet? That’s still a sign. 

The Timing Will Never Feel Perfect 

Nurses are planners. We like order. We like preparation. But reinvention rarely comes in a neat package. 

There will always be bills. There will always be family obligations. There will always be reasons not to start. 

But you only need one reason to start. 

Maybe your mental health is suffering. Maybe you crave freedom. Maybe you want to be home with your kids more. Whatever your reason: That’s valid. 

The First Step Isn’t Quitting—It’s Exploring 

Let me say this clearly: You do not have to quit your job to begin. 

At RN2writer, we teach nurses how to dip their toes into freelance writing in a way that feels safe, doable, and smart. Many of our students start with just 1-2 hours a week. And even that small step can shift everything. 

Some things you can do this week: 

• Read this blog post about health writer income 

• Watch a free YouTube video on writing tips 

• Start a "dream job" journal 

• Write one LinkedIn post about something you're passionate about in healthcare 

You Already Have What You Need 

You don’t need a degree in English. You don’t need fancy tools. You just need your nursing knowledge and a desire to communicate it. 

Our students include NICU nurses, case managers, floor nurses, school nurses, and more. If you can write a shift note, you can learn to write health articles. 

And if you're still not sure, start with our ebook. Design Your Dream Career as a Nurse Writer walks you through the basics, gently and clearly. 

The Real Sign Is You 

You’re reading this post. That means you care. That means something inside you is waking up. That is your sign. 

You don’t have to overhaul your life this week. But you do owe it to yourself to take one small step toward what you want. 

Because it’s not too late. And it’s not too early. 

It’s right on time.