Welcome to Writer’s Camp!

I am delighted that you have found your way to Writer's Camp, a community that celebrates excellence in writing, editing, and publishing. While we emphasize these skills for nursologists, everyone is welcome. Take a few minutes to see what we have to offer.

You can be a learner, or if you are so inclined, you can write for Writer's Camp. Bookmark the site and visit it often — there's something new almost every day. I am glad you are here!
—Leslie H. Nicoll, Camp Director

Opportunity: Editor Position — Australian Critical Care

The Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) is seeking expressions of interest for an Editor position with the journal Australian Critical Care. The Editor works with the Editor-in-Chief and editorial team to support the peer-review process, help guide the journal’s strategic direction, and promote high-quality scholarship in critical care practice. Deadline to apply is April 24, 2026.

Call for Papers: Teaching and Learning in Nursing

Teaching and Learning in Nursing, the official journal of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), is planning a special issue on the 2025 ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. Manuscripts are invited that explore the 10 provisions of the 2025 Code. Submission deadline: March 20, 2027.

Trail Pack: Author Guidance as Editorial Infrastructure: What We Knew, What Has Changed, and Why This Still Matters

This month’s Trail Pack explores a part of scholarly publishing that is everywhere—and rarely examined: instructions for authors. Featuring two foundational 2018 studies by Marilyn Oermann and colleagues, along with a new original essay written for this Trail Pack, this collection revisits how journals communicate expectations to authors and how that guidance functions as editorial infrastructure. What has changed since 2018? What has intensified? And what remains structurally the same? The Trail Pack also includes an exclusive video interview with Marilyn Oermann reflecting on the studies, their continued relevance, and what editors and authors can do today. Together, these materials invite us to see author guidelines not as administrative paperwork, but as one of the most important—and most overlooked—sites of editorial leadership.

Revisiting Writing Productivity: Ten Years Later with Ten Additional Tips

Teresa Shellenbarger shares ten updated tips for enhancing writing productivity, building on her previous advice from a decade ago. Key strategies include writing about familiar topics, maintaining an idea file, developing a clear purpose statement, starting without perfection, breaking projects into smaller tasks, and seeking mentorship.

Mastering the Research Brief: The Art of Brevity and Clarity

Barbara J. Patterson discusses the art of crafting a research brief, which condenses extensive research into a concise format for busy clinicians and policymakers. Emphasizing clarity and brevity, she advises focusing on the core message, actionable insights, and practical implications. This approach bridges the gap between evidence and decision-making in nursing practice.

Why Nurse Editors Belong on Institutional Review Boards: Editorial Leadership as Patient Advocacy

Patricia A. Normandin emphasizes the critical role of nurses, particularly nurse editors, in Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). She argues that their unique clinical and editorial perspectives enhance research oversight by ensuring participant safety and clarity in protocols. By advocating for patient-centered practices, they address gaps in traditional research reviews, fostering more humane and effective studies.

False Precision

False precision misleads readers by presenting numbers with inconsistent or unnecessary decimal places, suggesting greater accuracy than exists. This can create confusion about data analysis and distract from the main narrative. Maintaining consistent precision, usually with whole numbers for percentages, enhances clarity and effective communication.

When Reporting Methods, Accurate Language Matters

Julee Briscoe Waldrop, Staci S. Reynolds, and Jayne Jennings Dunlap discuss the importance of precise language in reporting quality improvement (QI) initiatives versus research studies in nursing. They highlight common misconceptions, provide examples, and stress that correct terminology enhances publication acceptance and improves understanding for better healthcare practice.

How to Read Like a Scholar (Without Drowning)

Leslie H. Nicoll emphasizes the importance of purposeful reading for scholars to manage overwhelming reading loads. By defining clear goals, adapting reading speeds, and knowing when to stop, academics can engage with literature effectively. Nicoll advocates for maintaining pleasure reading to enhance overall comprehension and joy in the reading process.

Trail Pack: From One Minute to Five: Designing a Collaborative Writing Assessment That Works

The content introduces the Five-Minute Peer Writing Activity (FMPWA) developed by Andrew Richards to enhance nursing students' engagement and learning. This collaborative assessment replaces the traditional one-minute paper, fostering effective peer feedback and improving understanding. Research shows significant increases in student satisfaction and performance, affirming its adaptability in educational settings.