As a junior nursing and health sciences double major, Nikitha Jeyaprakash is making a difference at Rutgers University School of Nursing–Camden through both research and student leadership. She is a research assistant on a study sponsored by Cooper University Health Care and the School of Nursing, which focuses on helping heart failure patients improve their health outcomes.
“I’ve always believed research is key to progress,” Nikitha says. “I wanted to be part of an effort that tests new methods to find the best solutions, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have the chance to help with data collection for research!”
Outside of research, Nikitha is a Senator for the Rutgers–Camden Student Governing Association and an active member of the Student Nursing Association. She chose nursing because it combines science, social interaction, and hands-on patient care, allowing her to make a real impact.Nikitha is also passionate about leadership in nursing. Seeing other students take on leadership roles inspired her to get involved. “Nursing students tend to be more academically oriented, and it’s rare to get the opportunity to foster leadership skills. I believe the qualities I’ve been able to observe and practice during my time spent in student leadership have equipped me with what it takes to get involved in leadership and advocacy efforts in my future career and helped me grow as a person as well,” she explains.
She believes these experiences will help her in the future, giving her insight into how healthcare leaders make decisions and advocate for patients.
With her work in research, leadership, and patient care, Nikitha is proving that Rutgers nursing students can make a difference both in and out of the hospital.
