NURSING PRACTICE AND HEALTH CARE

Biography:

Dr. Rahshida Atkins obtained a BSN, MSN, and PhD in Nursing from Rutgers College of Nursing in Newark. She completed a post doc at the University of Pennsylvania School of nursing with a focus on helping vulnerable women, children and families. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Rutgers School of Nursing-Camden, where she enthusiastically instructs students to become competent nursing professionals. She also works as a Family Nurse Practitioner, providing primary healthcare to children and adults. Dr. Atkins understands the issues of diversity impacting healthcare and that contributes to health disparities in vulnerable Americans. She has therefore, focused her program of research on addressing the mental health needs of vulnerable disadvantaged mothers and encouraging the adoption of healthy behaviors, such as physical activity in residents who live in under-served communities. Dr. Atkins has published her research in premier nursing journals and has presented it nationally raising awareness about the factors influencing the health of vulnerable underserved populations. In recognition of her dedication to nursing education, scholarship, and research she has earned numerous awards including the Veronica Clark-Tasker EOF Alumni Research Award, the Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Tau Chapter Excellence in Research Award, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Faculty Preparation Certificate, and the International Sigma Theta Tau Rising Star Recognition.

Research Interests:

Addressing the mental health needs of vulnerable disadvantaged mothers and encouraging the adoption of healthy behaviors, such as physical activity in residents who live in under-served communities.