Amplify your voice through persuasive op-eds

Nursing is ranked the most trusted profession for the 23rd consecutive year according to Gallup Polls. Yet, despite this longstanding trust and a deep expertise in patient care, community health, and public health systems, nurses remain noticeably absent from public conversations about healthcare. Most media outlets turn to other healthcare providers for commentary, overlooking the unique perspectives and solutions nurses offer to address today’s most pressing health issues.

This lack of representation is a missed opportunity—not only for nurses but for society as a whole. Our experiences in the frontlines and in the community give us unparalleled insight into the realities of healthcare. Writing an op-ed is one powerful way to amplify your voice, share your expertise, and drive meaningful change. Let’s explore why and how you, as a nurse, can make an impact through opinion writing.

What are op-eds, and why should nurses write them?
Op-eds, short for “opposite the editorial,” are opinion pieces written by individuals outside a publication’s editorial team. They’re typically 600–800 words long and present a well-argued perspective on a specific topic of public interest. Published in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms, op-eds offer a powerful opportunity for individuals to inform readers, influence public discourse, and inspire action.

For nurses, op-eds are a platform to:

• Address healthcare gaps and advocate for solutions.
• Highlight the impact of nursing care on patient outcomes.
• Share unique perspectives grounded in holistic, patient-centered care.
• Influence policies that shape healthcare systems and practices.
• Educate the media, policymakers, and the public on the vital role that nurses bring to society.
  

Serving on the front lines, nurses experience firsthand the challenges and opportunities within healthcare. We see where systems fail patients, policies fall short, and communities struggle. Writing an op-ed empowers us to propose solutions, elevate the nursing profession, and deepen the public’s understanding of health issues and what nurses do. By contributing to public discourse, we showcase the depth of our expertise and reinforce our role as trusted healthcare leaders.

Every nurse has a story to tell. Whether you work in acute, ambulatory, long-term, or research settings, your experiences matter. You don’t need to be a published author or have a formal writing background to craft an op-ed. If you’ve ever educated a patient, advocated for an improvement or policy change, or shared insights with colleagues, you already have the skills to write an op-ed.

For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, my colleague Dr. Kristen Choi and I (Anna Dermenchyan) observed a notable absence of the nurse’s perspective in the public discourse. While many voices addressed the crisis, few reflected the unique challenges and contributions of nurses on the front lines. Eager to change this, we collaborated on two op-eds to share our insights. The first, "The Nursing Science Behind Nurses as Coronavirus Hospital Heroes," was published by STAT News, a leading health-focused news organization, on 30 July 2020. It emphasized the critical, science-driven work of nurses during the pandemic. The second, "The White House Coronavirus Task Force is Missing a Nurse," was published by The Hill on 22 August 2020, calling for nursing representation in high-level health policy decisions. These pieces garnered significant media attention, sparking important conversations about the value of nursing expertise and inspiring other nurses to share their viewpoints through opinion writing.

How to write an op-ed
Writing an op-ed may seem daunting but breaking it down into manageable steps can help. Consider these guiding questions to get started.

1. Identifying your topic
   
   
   • What health issues are affecting your community, hospital, or field of practice?
   • Is there a gap in public understanding you can help fill?
   • Do you have insights from your work, research, or personal experience that others might not know or that you are passionate about?
   • Is your topic timely? Does it align with current events, health observances, or policy debates?
     
2. Connecting with your audience
   
   
   • Who is your target audience? The general public, patients, healthcare leaders, or policymakers?
   • What action do you want readers to take after reading your piece?
   • How can you make your argument relatable to those outside the healthcare field?
   • What emotions do you want to evoke: urgency, hope, outrage, or inspiration?
     
3. Structuring your argument
   
   
   • What is your central message? Can you summarize it in one or two sentences?
   • What stories, anecdotes, or examples can help illustrate your point?
   • What evidence or data can help support your argument?
   • How can you anticipate and address potential counterarguments?
     
4. Making your piece stand out
   
   
   • Has your topic been covered before? If so, how can you offer a fresh perspective?
   • What personal experiences or cultural references can help make your piece memorable?
   • How can you write in a way that keeps readers engaged from start to finish?
   • Is the topic addressing a current, prominent, or hotly debated issue in the media or public discourse?

Using these guiding questions can serve as a powerful tool to organize and refine your thoughts as you write. They help you focus on the most critical aspects of your message, ensuring your piece remains relevant, clear, and impactful. Think of these questions as a roadmap—they will guide you in crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with readers, keeps them engaged, and inspires them to take action.

Use a framework to structure your op-ed
Nurses often appreciate frameworks because they provide structure and clarity. One effective framework for op-eds is Grab, Teach, Recommend. This method ensures you organize your argument clearly, making the piece easy to follow and impactful. Let’s break it down with an example related to vaccination advocacy.

1. Grab: Start with an attention-grabbing opening. Use a personal story, striking statistic, or timely news hook to draw readers in.

   
   Example: “Every flu season, I think of the young teacher I cared for as a nurse in the intensive care unit years ago. He was just 28 years old, healthy, with no underlying conditions. At first, he had a simple cough and runny nose—symptoms he likely picked up from a student. But by the time he arrived at the hospital, he was on the verge of collapse, gasping for breath.”
   

2. Teach: Share your expertise and insights. Provide context, evidence, and examples to support your argument.

   
   Example: “Many people mistakenly believe that only high-risk groups, like older adults, pregnant women, children under 5, and people with chronic conditions, need to worry about the flu. But the truth is that the virus can strike anyone, even healthy individuals—as I saw firsthand with that young teacher.”
   

3. Recommend: Conclude with actionable insights or a clear call to action.
   
   Example: “Don’t wait. Get your flu shot right now—not just for yourself, but for the people you love. By doing so, you’ll help protect your family, friends, and community, especially those most vulnerable, like the elderly and infants, who rely on our collective immunity. As a new mother of a four-month-old baby, he won’t be old enough for a flu shot until he’s six months old. When you get your shot, I’ll be especially thankful.”
   

The example shared here stemmed from a research study that highlighted various trends in respiratory vaccination rates among patients with heart failure. Among influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccines, influenza vaccination rates remained alarmingly low compared to other respiratory vaccines despite the flu’s potential to worsen heart conditions. By translating research into accessible language and framing it within a broader public health context, we connected with readers and encouraged action. The op-ed was featured by the McClatchy Group and reached a national audience through outlets such as The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee, Miami Herald, The News & Observer, Centre Daily Times, Yahoo News, AOL News, and MSN.

There are plenty of resources available to help you get started with op-ed writing. For example, the Op-Ed Project offers workshops and mentorship programs designed to amplify underrepresented voices in the media, while focusing on supporting women and people of color. Another excellent resource is the Mastering the Art of Op-Ed Writing for Health Policy course offered by the University of Pennsylvania. This four-session virtual program equips health professionals at any stage of their career with the tools to craft compelling and impactful op-eds. Additionally, Sigma offers valuable writing resources, including the Anatomy of Writing for Publication for Nurses, Fifth Edition and the Virtual Academy: Writing for Publication. Both resources provide nurses with expert guidance on writing and publishing impactful pieces.

Your voice matters!
As healthcare evolves in response to workforce shortages, policy debates, and technological advancements, the need for nurses’ voices has never been more urgent. By stepping forward to share your insights, you can drive meaningful change. Writing an op-ed is a powerful way to ensure our voices are heard. By sharing your unique insights and solutions, you can influence public discourse and improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Now is the time to step forward, pick up the pen (or keyboard), and amplify your impact. The world needs to hear from nurses.

Richard Ricciardi, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, FRCSI, serves as Professor, Associate Dean, and Executive Director of the Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement at The George Washington University School of Nursing. He is a past president of Sigma.