Rachel Rockecharlie

Rachel Rockecharlie is the recipient of the Laura D. Smith National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) Scholarship from Nurses Educational Funds (NEF) for 2026–2027. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Virginia School of Nursing, where she previously earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with distinction.

During her undergraduate education at the University of Virginia, Rachel was actively involved in student organizations and service initiatives, including the Student Nurses’ Association of Virginia and peer health education programs. These experiences, coupled with her clinical training, helped shape her commitment to patient-centered care, mentorship, and advocacy—values that continue to guide her professional path.

Rachel’s decision to pursue nursing, and ultimately advanced practice nursing, was driven by her desire to support patients and their families as they navigate complex health experiences. She is particularly drawn to the longitudinal relationships that pediatric primary care fosters and the opportunity to partner with families across the full continuum of childhood. The University of Virginia felt like a natural environment to continue that journey, offering both a strong academic foundation and a sense of community that she describes as feeling like home.

Rachel currently practices as a registered nurse in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she provides care for critically ill and premature infants with complex medical needs. In this role, she integrates advanced clinical assessment with compassionate family-centered support, helping parents navigate some of the most challenging and uncertain moments of early parenthood. Her experiences in the NICU have reinforced the importance of continuity of care beyond hospitalization and have shaped her broader clinical goals.

As part of her doctoral work, Rachel is working alongside other DNP students on a quality improvement project focused on improving follow-up visit adherence for medically vulnerable patients receiving care through a mobile clinic. Her project aims to address barriers to continuity of care and improve health outcomes for underserved populations, many of whom are navigating complex social drivers of health that impact their ability to access and engage in care. Through this work, she seeks to strengthen systems that support access, continuity, and meaningful engagement beyond initial encounters.

Rachel’s long-term goal is to practice as a pediatric primary care provider, where she can build lasting relationships with patients and families while supporting their health across developmental stages. She is especially interested in bridging gaps between acute and outpatient care and advocating for equitable access to resources for medically complex and underserved populations.

Receiving the NEF Scholarship is both an honor and a meaningful affirmation of Rachel’s commitment to nursing scholarship, service, and leadership. She is deeply grateful for the support, which will allow her to further invest in her education and continue working toward improving care for children and families.