Aug 13, 2012

Communications Corner: How to Write a Letter to the Editor

It seems that everyone—from elected officials to your next-door neighbor—has an opinion on what will best improve the nation’s health care system. Your opinion on this topic is especially valuable. As part of the Campaign for Action, you know that nurses are critical to providing high-quality care; you have an opportunity to share that view in local and national press—particularly now, when health and health care reform are such hot topics—via a letter to the editor.

A letter to the editor responds to a news article, editorial, or op-ed that has appeared in the newspaper. It provides new information, a correction, or a perspective different from that of the original article. And it’s easier to do than you might think! Here are some tips to help get you started.