Judy Doran is the 2023 Maine School Nurse of the Year and a believer in the power of using her platform to write Op-Eds to address pressing social issues. Here is Judy’s most recently published public commentary for the Bangor Daily News:
Bangor Daily News: Letter: Most people support common-sense gun laws.
As nurses, we are the largest healthcare workforce in the United States and the most trusted. We must leverage this trust to educate the public and policymakers. Op-Eds, or opinion-editorial articles, are persuasive commentaries featured in newspapers and other publications. They are an excellent way for us to bring our authentic school nursing perspectives to the public, especially since nurses are seldom represented in print media healthcare coverage. The Woodhull study found that nurses were cited as expert sources in health-related news stories only 2% of the time. This is a clear example of why we need to express our voices in the public square. By writing Op-Eds, we can influence healthcare policy, advocate for important health issues, and ensure that our students are well-supported and healthy enough to learn at their highest potential. Here are some actionable steps you can take to start writing Op-Eds:
- Craft a Compelling Narrative: Writing an Op-Ed is an art and a science. It’s not just a review of facts but also a well-written, 600-800 word piece that can hook the reader and clearly spell out an issue.
- Identify Relevant Topics: Consider writing Op-Eds on topics that are important to school health. Use your nursing skills to present both the issue but also a plan. Be purposeful, clear, concise, and organized.
- Engage with Local Legislators: Writing Op-Eds for newspapers is just the beginning. Take it a step further by contacting local legislators regarding health issues and concerns. Be a role model for your fellow school nurses and your students. Encourage your students to write, call, and stay involved.
- Seek Feedback and Guidance: Plan your Op-Ed submissions carefully and listen intently to the feedback, including silence from the editors, which can signal something you need to address. Consider attending workshops for in-person guidance and feedback on your Op-Ed drafts and pitches.
- Include a Call to Action: In your Op-Ed, include a call to action. Success is a community effort, and your Op-Ed can inspire others to take action.
To write impactful Op-Eds and letters to the editor, you can use the following resources:
- The OpEd Project: This website provides tips and tricks for Op-Ed writing, including suggestions for formulating ideas, live feedback on drafts and pitches, and information on how to pitch Op-Ed pieces to publications.
- The Learning Agency: Offers a step-by-step guide for writing an Op-Ed, including the “ABCs” formula for compelling Op-Eds, the importance of simplicity, logic, and clarity, and guidelines for writing a successful Op-Ed.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Offers tips for writing Op-Ed articles, including the importance of timeliness, offering an opinion about local events, and providing a powerful introductory statement to capture the reader’s interest.
These resources can help you craft compelling and persuasive Op-Eds and letters to the editor, allowing you to effectively communicate your ideas and opinions to a wide audience.
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