MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Four West Virginia University School of Nursing faculty members have been selected as counselors for Writer’s Camp, an online resource that supports nurses in writing, editing and publishing. The counselors are Dr. Brad Phillips, Dr. Roger Carpenter, Dr. Heather Carter-Templeton and Dr. Suzy Walter.
Writer’s Camp is led by longtime nursing editor Dr. Leslie H. Nicoll. Counselors contribute guidance and articles for authors at all stages, with a focus on practical support and scholarly excellence. Walter shared that the focus of Writer’s Camp is to cultivate writing skills among nurse authors that support scholarly dissemination.
Phillips, associate dean of undergraduate programs and an assistant professor at the WVU School of Nursing, said the invitation was both humbling and motivating. “At first, I wondered, ‘Am I good enough?’” he said. “But as a newer nurse scientist, I know what novice researchers are going through. If you’re having a struggle or a challenge, I can relate, and I want to help.”
Phillips said writing and publishing helps nurses translate practice insights into scholarship. He added that he is eager “to be in the room where it happens,” and that he is working on an article about team writing. He remains most proud of his dissertation and hopes to help first-time authors and doctoral students overcome common roadblocks.
Carter-Templeton, chair of the Adult Health Department, said being named a counselor was both an honor and a reflection of the school’s work. “I was glad for the opportunity. And I think it is a compliment and a testament to the fine work that the WVU Nursing faculty are doing,” she said. An experienced editor who has collaborated with Nicoll for years, she plans to “support others” as they identify projects and share results with broader audiences.
“Dissemination matters,” Carter-Templeton said. “Presentations or publications are forums we use to share our scholarly works. As the state’s land-grant university, people look to WVU for answers, and we hope our students can learn from resources like Writer’s Camp so they can contribute, too.”
Both faculty members noted that having four WVU counselors highlights the school’s strength in scholarship and mentorship. “Having four faculty members selected is astounding,” Phillips said. “It shows WVU Nursing is producing research, and that our faculty are respected.”
Walter added, “It is an honor to be a part of the faculty who can contribute to this program. I feel like I can always learn more, and I will certainly use this opportunity to build on my own writing and editing skills. And as an educator, I look forward to sharing what I learn with my students.”
Learn more about Writer’s Camp and its counselors at writers-camp.org.
-WVU-
ms/09/19/25
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu