Jennifer Kwapick is honored to be the recipient of the 2025 Rita Reis Wieczorek Scholarship. Jennifer has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Rutgers University and a bachelor's degree in nursing from George Mason University.  She pursued a career in nursing as it combines human rights, intellectual rigor, and social justice.  

Jennifer began her nursing career in labor & delivery and found a population she loved in perinatal patients.  For several years, she has been privileged to care for patients in some of the most meaningful, and at times challenging, parts of their lives.  She recognized the way that mental and physical health influence one another and saw a need for increased services and resources for perinatal mental health.  Working in psychiatric care solidified her decision to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) to contribute to the well-being of women, mothers, children, and families. 

Currently attending Wilkes University pursuing her master's degree in nursing in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, Jennifer aims to be an advanced practice registered nurse providing safe and effective care for perinatal mental health, trauma, and internalizing disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders through a foundation of compassion, respect, active listening and partnership, empathy, empowerment, advocacy, and continuous learning.   

She is a member of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.   She has participated in community volunteering with Prince William County Schools, Girl Scouts, local Help the Homeless Outreach, and Northern Virginia Food Rescue, and is a regular blood donor.  

Receiving the Rita Reis Wieczorek scholarship from Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. will allow Jennifer to continue working toward becoming a PMHNP while also serving the needs of her community, her patients, her family, and herself.