Why and how to start a writing accountability group

Nurses write to share their ideas, knowledge, research, and contribute the field of nursing science. Ultimately, nurses improve patient population health care outcomes. While writing can be enjoyable for some, others experience it as stressful or hard. Often becomes challenging because pressure felt publish in order achieve promotion, tenure, grant funding. Also, a major challenge academia is balance multiple roles—teacher, researcher, clinician, committee member, advisor—that often co-opt time. easiest thing push aside when other tasks activities take precedence have clear deadlines. Writing also hard requires time, focus, prioritization, practice, organization. There are well-documented strategies develop skills support habit increase productivity.1, 2 The purpose this article provide practical guide starting sustaining accountability group (WAG), strategy productivity meet goals. Many supports, tools, resources focus on structure writing. However, having knowledge how does not always translate actual A WAG fills specific niche development productive sustained practice habits.2-4 peer-to-peer that meets regularly helpful formation related organization scheduling. provides peer support, accountability, venue tips increasing productivity. It all about behavior change. I was first introduced WAGs member junior faculty mentoring group3 participated consistently over decade. Following, you will find step-by-step peer-led based my literature. champion person who has personal commitment contributes advocates success WAG.5 Having an important ingredient success. Therefore, identify either individual team conduct WAG. This require significant time but some assure role champion(s) includes recruiting members, assuring meetings scheduled, setting up shared documents, leading weekly sessions. Before should Some key structural elements consider length session meeting place. your enough members corresponds with academic calendar. For instance, if university 15-week term, then might order. Regardless decision, beginning end allows set new goals, recalibrate, start anew review overall goals assessment accomplishments. Typically, 1–1.5 h. In opinion, minimum amount 1 h, giving ample check communal (see Step 5). Variations schedule exist. example, Chai et al.6 Fleming al.7 report monthly groups track project completion, motivate, offer accountability. No perfect everyone may opt pick once recruited interested 3). My current Friday mornings. our institution, Fridays tend day fewer activities. conducted in-person virtually. Advantages get out offices, clinical sites, so space uninterrupted. connect meaningful way one another ways sometimes virtual environment. accessibility convenience participation. If in-person, convenient location where participants come together laptops participate Small conference rooms private café great venues. virtually, software use access technology. composition important; therefore, recruit individuals right fit group. good size between five eight participants. More than just through goal check-in. could made mix senior, junior, senior nurses. group, safe supportive members. mindful integrating supervisory responsibilities When recruiting, understand participating brief presentation staff easy present idea followed by email invitation. Member include (a) attend sessions, (b) scheduled regular writing, (c) openness critiquing habits trying productivity, (d) willingness successes failures, (e) interest supporting motivating colleagues. session, distribute tracking sheet Figure snapshot sheet). Using drive (Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, etc.) useful added synced across Because including metrics attainment quite useful. First, (in hours sessions) encourages calendar realistic feasible week schedules. Second, help begin evaluate strengths barriers routines. Description example Tracking Sheet WAG, prepare ideas discuss. Encourage SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-based. individualized Goals number forms—they relate (e.g., decreasing distractions, scheduling calendar, finding place write) projects. Individuals determine what they want accomplish hone. addition, lot goes into fingers keyboard. we view broadly thinking reviewing literature, data analysis, figure table development, well manuscript. individual—it own processes. typically starts check-in (that's part!) writing.2-4 1.5 h general structure: each presents entire following week. goal, encouraged (productivity and/or content) goal. During check-in, screen-share document follow along. note discussion during around content accomplishments previous Creating challenges important. way, learn more behaviors build To end, discuss, ask questions, feedback regarding experience, Indeed, shares tricks experiencing challenges, do problem-solving address barriers. critical piece feel discouraged. One aspect achievable planned 6 only completed celebrate (sometimes achieved group), problem-solve were. refine moving forward. After had opportunity discuss it's groups, bring (and coffee, tea, water) sit companionable silence write. stay camera writing! At pause congratulate successful session. Sometimes busy week, write, which benefit writer! sure, everyone. been source community keep me fact, there times 25% fact helped motivated assess continue I'm firm believer something better nothing! See Table testimonials involvement from amazing approach colleagues commune process, other, successes. wouldn't without would like acknowledge wonderful at Ohio State University College Nursing (Drs. Anderson, Fortney, Gillespie, Harrison, Herbell, Nist, Pickler, Tate, Thrane) past Rush (specifically, Drs. Cygan Bejster sharing stories) original Research Mentoring Program Foucher, Lundberg, Rasmussen, Shafiro, Skarupski). Susan M. Breitenstein, PhD, RN Associate Professor Nursing. She Editor journal, Global Implementation Applications, serves Editorial Advisory Council Journal School