The Writer’s Camp Bugle #2

INANE is an Innovative Investment

A PhD learner recently reached out to inquire about my initial experience at an International Academy of Nursing Editors (INANE) annual conference. She understood that I, like she is now, had been a doctoral learner as a first-time attendee at the INANE Reno Conference in 2019. She asked if I had any advice for her as she decided whether to attend this one-of-a-kind conference as a person with a goal of “leaning into writing.” As I recalled my initial INANE conference experience, I was inspired to make my reply to this individual’s inquiry public as my first post as a Writer’s Camp Counselor. 

Hello! 

I am so glad you are considering attending the INANE conference, which now only occurs in person every other year. I honestly felt nervous and unsure about attending this prestigious event as a Doctor of Nursing Practice student, even with an invitation from someone I respected immensely. At that time, I had not yet served as a peer reviewer for a journal and had one publication on my resume.

I met so many fascinating people during that first INANE conference and the experience positively recalibrated my career trajectory. Leslie Nicoll sat near me on a bus, as the conference involves creative outings and wonderful speakers. We had a great conversation and she encouraged me to really reach out and network during the event. I did just that when I got the courage to walk up to Julee Waldrop, an Editor and nurse practitioner whose work I had read and admired. Julee has generously mentored me ever since and we have been incredibly productive together.

INANE members are warm, welcoming and thought-provoking folks. I am currently completing my PhD, so if you attend we will be PhD learners there together in a very unique atmosphere. If you want to grow in your writing, this is the best conference I can recommend to you–without reservation. Specifically, I would advise connecting with the journal editor(s) of your nursing specialty/interest during the conference, on a break or during one of the special events and ask to serve as a peer reviewer (if you are not already doing this). I became a peer reviewer during that first INANE conference as editors are typically eager for this kind of necessary help. As an Editor, I continue to enjoy engaging in this professional service and I learn something new with each paper I review. Peer review also creates a pathway to serving on an editorial board. Julee appointed me to her journal’s editorial board because she said although many people had expressed interest in becoming editorial board members, my INANE involvement and ongoing peer reviews had demonstrated a commitment to writing and publication excellence through action. 

My own education, teaching, writing, and editing continue to be highly enhanced by INANE participation. INANE also welcomes annual poster presentations at the conference with a high acceptance rate. Once you attend your first INANE conference and view the posters, you will be well-positioned to submit an abstract for presentation with a writing/publication focus for an international audience in future years. 

I ended my note to this PhD learner and aspiring writer by encouraging her to visit and subscribe to Writer’s Camp if she had not already done so. When she replied with plans to attend the 2025 INANE conference, I realized the message is timely for many who have recently subscribed to Writer’s Camp. When I paid out-of-pocket for my initial INANE conference, I considered it a lifelong learning investment. The connections and resources have been instrumental to my preparation as a writer and now editor–a role many find themselves unprepared for when the time to step up arrives. For example, The Editor’s Handbook (Nicoll & Chinn, 2019), written by two INANE leaders (and leaders here at Writer’s Camp!), sits beside my desk for easy reference when I get stuck with a question. I am also able to use my INANE connections for questions beyond the scope of the handbook. Like Writer’s Camp, membership to INANE is free– you simply ask to be added to the mailing list. However the chance to meet this extraordinary group in person is valuable and rare. Registration for the upcoming conference is still available https://inane2025.com and the special events are not sold out. I encourage you to explore the conference website and as well as the INANE website (nursingeditors.com) to get a sense of all of the INANE resources that are available. I hope you consider this special investment for yourself. If so, I look forward to seeing you and this aspiring writer in Portland, Maine on August 4, 5, and 6, 2025. Adventure awaits! 

Reference

Nicoll, L. H., & Chinn, P. L. (2019). The Editor’s Handbook (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health. 

©2025 Writer’s Camp and Jayne Jennings Dunlap

Author: Jayne Jennings Dunlap

Editor: Leslie H. Nicoll

Citation: Dunlap JJ. INANE is an Innovative Investment. Writer’s Camp. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://writers-camp.org/?p=1293