How many words can you write per minute in a nursing dissertation? There is no single reliable rate for every writer. Typing words, developing an argument and producing checked academic writing are different tasks. Your own measured drafting pace is a better planning tool than a typing-test score.
This short guide explains how to estimate your pace without treating speed as a measure of dissertation quality.
Typing speed is different from dissertation writing speed
A typing test usually involves copying existing text. A nursing dissertation requires you to select evidence, explain findings and connect them to your research question. Consequently, a fast typist may still need considerable time to write one analytical paragraph.
For example, comparing two falls-prevention studies involves more than describing their results. You may need to consider study design, participant differences and relevance to your chosen setting before writing your interpretation.
The Open University (n.d.a) recommends allowing time for planning, drafting, editing and proofreading. Its guidance does not establish a nursing-specific words-per-minute benchmark.
How to calculate your own words per minute
Choose a section for which you have already read the relevant sources and prepared an outline. Then draft for 25 minutes, keeping a record of the new words you add.
Drafting rate = new draft words ÷ minutes spent drafting.
If you add 250 words in 25 minutes, your rate for that session is 10 words per minute. If you add 125 words, it is 5 words per minute. These are calculation examples, not research-based averages or recommended targets.
| Illustrative session | New draft words | Time | Calculated rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A | 125 | 25 minutes | 5 words/minute |
| Session B | 250 | 25 minutes | 10 words/minute |
| Session C | 375 | 25 minutes | 15 words/minute |
Repeat this exercise across several comparable sessions. Record research time separately if you want to measure drafting alone. Alternatively, include it consistently and label the result as your overall working rate.
Use your pace to plan a writing session
Suppose your measured pace is 5 draft words per minute. A 500-word section would take approximately 100 minutes of drafting at that pace. However, this calculation excludes reading, analysis, breaks and revision. It cannot predict when the section will be ready for submission.
Different chapters can also require different amounts of preparation. Therefore, measure your pace again when the task changes rather than applying one session’s result to your whole dissertation.
For guidance on the required length, see our nursing dissertation word count guide.
Improve progress without rushing your analysis
- Prepare a paragraph outline before starting the timer.
- Keep accurate source details beside your notes.
- Draft one clear argument at a time.
- Mark missing information for checking; never invent a citation.
- Review your evidence and wording after the drafting session.
The Open University (n.d.b) advises building a first draft from a plan and refining it afterwards. You can also use our dissertation editing checklist when reviewing your own work.
Frequently asked questions
Is writing slowly a sign of poor academic ability?
A low word count alone cannot establish that. Check what the session achieved: evaluating evidence or resolving an unclear argument may produce few new words but still move the work forward.
Can I use my typing speed to calculate a dissertation deadline?
It will not account for the full task. Use measured drafting sessions, then allocate separate time for research, analysis, referencing and revision.
Should I aim for more words every session?
Set a target that matches the task. During revision, removing repetition or correcting unsupported claims can improve the dissertation while reducing its word count.
Need help planning your next section?
Our nursing dissertation support services can help you organise your work and understand feedback. Follow your university’s rules on academic support.
Measure your own pace, allow time for checking and judge progress by the strength of your argument as well as the number of words.
References
The Open University (n.d.a) Gathering your materials: Preparing assignments. Available at: https://help.open.ac.uk/gathering-your-materials (Accessed: 9 October 2026).
The Open University (n.d.b) Drafting your answer: Preparing assignments. Available at: https://help.open.ac.uk/drafting-your-answer (Accessed: 9 October 2026).
