Book Editor

BASIC DESCRIPTION

This is a nurse who edits books and/or monographs for publication in print or through electronic media. The work may be in any scientific/professional content area in nursing and health care or related areas. This edited material may be used in research, education, training, sales and marketing, and other mediums and communication forms. The editor can be the originator of the content idea for the book, or can be hired by others to do the editing work. This specialty combines editing and writing skills with nursing and health care knowledge. There are numerous opportunities for freelance work that can be done from home with flexible hours. Sometimes the work can be isolating and the data can be very technical, detail oriented, tedious, and voluminous; however, the work varies depending on the content being edited. Opportunities exist to work for nursing and medical marketing/communications companies, pharmaceutical companies, nursing, medical and general interest publishing houses, nursing and medical education companies, and professional organizations.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Registered nurse preparation is required; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or higher, is often required; content expertise is expected.

CORE COMPETENCIES/SKILLS NEEDED

■ Excellent writing skills
■ Good command of the English language
■ Attention to detail
■ Strong organizational and analytical skills
■ Ability to work alone
■ Ability to meet deadlines
■ Excellent computer skills
■ Health care–related knowledge

RELATED WEB SITES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

■ International Academy of Nurse Editors (http://www.nursingeditors-inane.org/)
■ Nurse Author Editor (http://www.nurseauthoreditor.com/)
■ American Medical Writers Association (www.amwa.org)
■ American Copyeditors Society (http://www.copydesk.org/)
■ Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (http://www.bels.org/)