Rachel Joseph, PhD, CCRN

Biography

Rachel Joseph, Professor of Nursing, has been at Liberty University since 2019. She is also the field Director for the Ph.D. mentored Program. Previously she worked as a full-time Assistant Professor at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCUPA), an adjunct professor at Wilmington University graduate Nursing Program, and a clinician at a large Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a large health system in Delaware. Rachel began her career in nursing as a cardiac ICU Nurse in India, and thereafter, served in several roles in Sultan Qaboos Hospital, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman. Upon migrating to the United States in 1998, she obtained specialty certification in neonatal nursing (CCRN), completed her MSN and Ph.D., and served as clinician, nurse educator, Performance improvement and patient safety (PIPS) coordinator, and adjunct clinical and classroom faculty in Delaware and PA. As a Fulbright Scholar, she taught graduate pediatric Nursing courses at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), voted the best University in Jordan.

During her career, Rachel has chaired and contributed to committees and facilitated national programs successfully in Oman where she received the Best Nurse Award. In the U.S. she is one of the founding members of the annual Nursing Research Conference in Delaware, the annual neonatal conference, chaired and contributed to local, regional, and national committees, facilitated several research projects and published and presented at local, regional, national, and international conferences. Her interests include research on the quality of life, student engagement, health literacy, and the family of babies in NICU. She is a contributing editor for the Neonatal Network, and section editor for the Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing (JPSN). Rachel is a reviewer for journals including the Journal of Christian Nursing (JCN), the JPSN, and the Jordan Journal of Nursing Research (JJNR). She serves on the editorial boards of JPSN, JCN, and the advisory board of JJNR. In 2023 she assumed the role of editor-in-chief of the newly launched “Wisdom & Compassion: The LUSON Journal”. Rachel participated in the prestigious Summer Genetics Institute (SGI) by the National Institute of Health. She has developed a course in genetics and has participated in genetics courses at Duquesne University, the Translation and Integration of Genomics Essential to Doctoral Nursing (TIGER) program at Vanderbilt University, and the Personal Genetics Education workshop by Harvard University. She has received several funding and honors that include Honors College’s outstanding faculty (twice) and was a Fulbright Scholar in Jordan in 2019. In LUSON Rachel facilitated the Nurses Christian Fellowship meetings during 2020-2022. She chairs Ph.D. dissertations, DNP projects, and undergraduate Honors programs. She volunteers her services to several national professional organizations.

Professional Memberships

• American Association of Critical Care Nurses
• Academy of Neonatal Nursing
• International Society of Nurses in Genetics
• Liberty University Chapter of Honor Society of Nursing-Psi Delta
• National league of Nursing
• Nurses Christian Fellowship
• Sigma Theta tau International Honor Society

Courses Taught

• NURS 210 Physical Assessment
• NURS 357 Pediatric Nursing
• NURS 415 Transcultural Nursing
• NURS 618 Nursing Educator II: Teaching strategies
• NURS 619 Nursing Educator III:  Curriculum Development
• NURS 742 Nursing Seminar:  Issues in Global Health
• NURS 817 Qualitative Methods Research
• NURS 917 Advance Qualitative Research
• NURS 947 Scholarly Project Planning
• NURS 948 Scholarly Project I
• NURS 949 Scholarly Project II
• NURS 950 Scholarly Project III
• NURS 987 Dissertation Planning
• NURS 988 Dissertation I
• NURS 989 Dissertation II

Publications (peer-related articles)

• Joseph, R. A. & Turner, T. (2023). COVID-19 and Nursing Faculty: A Correlational Study on Stress, Coping, and Well-being (Submitted)
• Joseph, R. A., Everett, S., Arraf, K., Sumarsono, E. Raugh, J. & Murphy, D. (2023). Giving and Receiving Peer Feedback: Effect on Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Knowledge Acquisition and Information Retention? An Exploratory Study. (Submitted)
• Joseph, R., & Etterman, E. (2023). Nurses’ role in caring for girls with precocious puberty. Nursing Children and Young People, 10.7748/ncyp.2023.e1480. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.7748/ncyp.2023.e1480
• Everett, S., Joseph, R. A., Turner, T. & Murphy, D. (2023). Peer Feedback Among Nursing Students: Does it Enhance Learning? Journal of Nursing Education (Submitted)
• Rought, A., Joseph, R. A., & Bridge, D. (2023). Limited English Proficiency: Nursing Implications (Submitted/Journal of Christian Nursing)
• Hatamleh, R., Al-Trad, A., Joseph, R. A., Abuhammad, S. (2023). Urinary Tract Infection Among Pregnant Jordanian Women: Role of Hygiene and Sexual Practices, A Cross-sectional Correlational Study. International Journal of Sexual Health (Submitted)
• Joseph, R. A., Kim, J. J., Akers, S. W. (2023). A Cross-sectional Mixed Methods Study on Forgiveness in Nursing Students and Faculty. JCN in 2023 (Submitted)
• Joseph, R. A. (2023). Effect of Visiting Restrictions in the NICU During the Pandemic: A Literature Review, Jordan Journal of Nursing Research, 2(1). https://jjnr.just.edu.jo/jjnr/
• Joseph R. A. (2023). Understanding Facilitators and Barriers to Providing Equity-Oriented Care in the NICU. Neonatal Network: NN, 42(4), 202–209. https://doi.org/10.1891/NN-2022-0049
• Joseph, R. A., Kim, J., Akers, S. W., Turner, T. M., Whorley, W. G., Lumpkin, K., Rosa, J., H., McElroy, C. (2023). COVID-19 Related Stress, Quality of Life, and Intrinsic Religiosity Among College Students During the Global Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study, Cogent Psychology, Doi: 10.1080/23311908.2023.2195091
• Joseph, R. A. & Carter, B. (2023). Prosopagnosia (face blindness) and child health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nursing Children and Young People, DOI: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000360; nursingchildrenandyoungpeople.co.uk  
• Hatamleh, R., AbuAbed, A. S. A., Abujilban, A., & Joseph, R. A. (2023). Using Social Media Platforms  to Enhance the Delivery of a Childbirth Education Program. Journal of Perinatal Neonatal Nursing 37 (1), 36–43 DOI: 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000700
• Highton, M., Joseph, R. A., Haydon, D., & Dyer, N. (2022). Snip the tip: Neonatal circumcision. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing, 2022;00(00):00-00. DOI: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000355
• Joseph, R. A., Kim, J., Turner, T. M., Akers, S. W., Whorley, W. G., Lumpkin, K., Goodrich, C., Rosa, J. H., McElroy, C. (2022). Religiosity: A Predictor of the Quality of Life of University   Students During Pandemic Times. (Submitted)
• Joseph, R. A. (2022) Needs of Parents of Children with Spina Bifida: A Review. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing, 00(0): 00-00. DOI: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000360
• Joseph, R. A., Turner, T. M., Akers, S. W., Whorley, W. G., & Goodrich, C (2022). Living During a Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Nursing Students Across All Program Levels. Journal of Christian Nursing
• Joseph, R. A., Turner, T. M., Akers, S. W., Lee, C.W., Whorley, W. G., & Goodrich, C (2022). Impact of a Pandemic on Nursing Students: A cross sectional mixed method study of anxiety, stress, and PTSD. Journal of Christian Nursing, 39(4), 250-257, DOI: 10.1097/CNJ.000000000000951
• Shattnawi, K., Al-Shdayfat, N. M., & Joseph, R. A. (2022). Maternal Experiences of Providing Skin-to-Skin Contact to their Preterm Infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Jordan, JJNR, 1(1) https://jjnr.just.edu.jo/jjnr/
• Joseph, R. A. & Carter, B. (2021). Prosopagnosia: Child mental Health, and Mask Wearing in Pediatrics: A Review, Nursing Children and Young People, Accepted July 2022
• Kavitha, K., Sikandar, B. J., & Joseph, R. A. (2021). COVID-19 Pandemic and Nursing Students: stress, depression and coping behaviors-An Exploratory study.  BLDE University Journal of Health Sciences. 7(1), 45-50. DOI: 10.4103/bjhs.bjhs_83_21
• Kim, J., Mullen, L., Akers, S. W., Joseph, R. A., Bishop, L., Bistany, B. R., Chambers, A., Harvey, J., & Houghton, A. (2021). The Efficacy of a Forgiveness Bibliotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Nursing Students, Journal of Holistic Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101211072288
• Mullen, L., Bistany, B., Kim, J., Joseph, R. A., Akers, S. W., Harvey, J., & Houghton, A (2021). Facilitation of Forgiveness: Impact on health and well-being. Holistic Nursing Practice https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101211072288
• Shattnawi, K., Mrayan, L., Al-Sheyab, N., Alnatour, A., Okor, H., & Joseph, R. A. (2021). Caring for a Child with Cancer: Experiences of Jordanian Mothers, Clinical Nursing Research, https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738211002021
• Akers, S. & Joseph, R. A. (2020). Intentionality in Staying Connected during Times of Social Distancing. Journal of Christian Nursing  PMID: 34477583 DOI: 10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000882
• Almomani, M., Wejdan, A. K., Qasem, B. A. & Joseph, R. A. (2020). Nurses’ knowledge and practices of physical restraints in intensive care units. Nursing Open, 2020: 00-1-11. DOI: 10.1002/nop2.625
• Hatamleh, R., Abujalbana, S., Abuhammad, S., Ariaq, D., & Joseph, R.A. (2020). Effect of the helping babies breathe training program: An experimental study on Jordanian midwives’ knowledge, J Perinat Neonat Nurs, 20 (2) (2020), pp. 1-7, 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000485
• Hoskins, N., Joseph, R. A., & Akers, S. (2020) Firearm safety: Implications for pediatric nurses, Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing, 10 (3), p 105–111 DOI: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000305
• Joseph, R. A. & Highton, M. (2020). Masks and Face Covers: Challenges for Health Care Workers. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing, 9(3), 97-106. DOI: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000262
• Joseph, R. A. & Mullen, L. (2020). Unnecessary Female Genital Alteration: Implications for Health Care Workers. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing doi: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000283
• Joseph, R. A. (2020). Lessons Learned from a Fulbright Experience, Journal of Professional Nursing, Accepted
• Joseph, R. A. Goodrich, C. (2020) Precipitating Factors Related to the formation of Grandfamilies, (accepted)
• Joseph, R. A., Highton, M., & Goodrich, C. (2020). Let’s talk about scrubs: A reflection during COVID-19. Nursing Management. 52(3) 26-32.
• Joseph, R. A., M. Hudson & E. Brady (2020). Perinatal Substance Exposure and Long-Term Outcomes in Children: A literature review, Pediatric Nursing, Accepted
• Kassab, M. & Joseph, R. A., (2020). Oral Sucrose use for pain management by Jordanian NICU Nurses. Neonatal Network 40(1)25-30. http:// dx. doi. org/ 10. 1891/ 0730- 0832/ 11-T-663
• Shattinawi, K., Saeed, W. B., Al-Natour, A., AlHammouri, M., AlAzzam, & Joseph, R. (2020). Parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Perspective of Jordanian mothers, Journal of Transcultural Nursing 1–10, DOI: 10.1177/1043659620970634
• Wejdan, A. K., Akhu-Zaheyq, L., Shattinawi, K., & Joseph, R. A. (2020). Barriers to Implement Palliative Care in Intensive Care Units: Perceptions of Physicians and Nurses. International Journal of Palliative Nursing
• Abuhammad, S., Khraisat, O., Joseph, R. & Al Khawaldeh, A. (2019). Factors that predict infant temperament: A Jordanian study, Journal of Pediatric Nursing, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31421919 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2019.08.002
• Daniel, M. N. & Joseph, R. A. (2019). Horizontal Integration of Concepts: an innovative Teaching Strategy, Nurse Educator, September/October, 44(5) p 284–287 DOI: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000608
• Joseph, R., Wellings, A., & Votta, G. (2019 MAY-June). Mindfulness-Based Strategies: A Cost-Effective Stress Reduction Method for Parents in the NICU, Neonatal Network, 38 (3), 135-143. DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.38.3.135
• Joseph, R. A., Miller, A. & DiCesare, E. (2018). Hunter syndrome: an integrated review, Advances in Neonatal Care, Dec;18(6):480-487. DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000569
• Joseph, R. A., Rafanello, A., Morris, C., & Fleming, K. (2018). Surrogacy: Pathway to Parenthood, Neonatal Network, 37(1) 19-23. DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.37.1.19
• Joseph, R.A., Fernandes, S., McSpadden. M., Derstine, S. (2018). Health seeking behavior of Indian Immigrants in the US, Journal of Christian Nursing DOI:10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000546
• Joseph, R. A. (2017). Expanding Newborn Screening Requirements: NICU Nursing Implications. Advances in Neonatal Care, 17(3). p 151-161. DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000381
• Joseph, R. A. Derstine, S. & Killian, M. (2017). Ideal site for temperature probe placement: a Review. Advances in Neonatal Care. 17(2), p 114–122. DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000369
• Joseph, R. A., Evitts, P, Bayley, E.  & Tulenko, C. (2017). Oral feeding in infants after Tracheostomy, Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 33, p 70-75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2016.12.012
• Joseph, R. A., Killian, M., & Brady, E. (2017). Care of infants with a Ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Advances in Neonatal Care, 17(6), P430-439. DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000439
• Joseph, R. A. (2016). New technology in the NICU; Challenges to parents and clinicians, Neonatal Network, 35(6) p. 367-372. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.35.6.367
• Joseph, R. A., Brown, M. & Giovinazzo, M. (Oct. 2016) A Literature Review on the Practice of Placentophagia, Nursing for Women’s Health, p 476-483. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2016.08.005
• Joseph, R. A., Fernandes, S., Hyers, L. & O’Brien, K. (Oct. 2016). Health literacy: a cross-disciplinary study in American undergraduate college students. Journal of Information Literacy, 10(2), p. 26-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.11645/10.2.2103
• Murray, C. & Joseph, R. A. (2016) Transition from NICU to home: Are the parents ready to manage any emergency? An evidence based project. Neonatal Network, 35(3), 151-155.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.35.3.151
• Joseph, R. A. (2015). Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: Challenges to nurses and outcome in extremely preterm babies, Critical Care Nurse, 35(4), 58-66. DOI: 10.4037/ccn2015396
• Joseph, R.A., Goodfellow, L. M., & Simko, L. (2014). Application of a theory: Double ABCX Model in the context of families, who care for children with tracheostomy at home, Advances in Neonatal Care, 14(3), p172-180. DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000062
• Joseph, R.A., Goodfellow, L. M., & Simko, L. (2014). Parental QOL: Caring for an infant/ toddler at home with a tracheostomy. Neonatal Network. Mar-Apr;33(2), p 86-94. DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.33.2.86
• Marom, T., Joseph, R. A., Grindle, C, R. Shah, U. K. (2014). Tracheotomy after Laryngotracheoplasty: Risk factors over ten years, Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 49(8), p 1206-1209 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.11.065
• Lyons, D., Painter, J. Crannell, C., Mooney, R., Bucher, L., Joseph, R.A., et al., (2013). The People in your Neighborhood: Impact of physician cohorting on nursing units, MEDSURG Nursing, 22(5), p 281-302.
• Joseph, R. A. (2011). Tracheostomy in Infants: parent education for home care, Neonatal Network, 30(4), p 231-242. DOI: 10.1891/0730-0832.30.4.231
• Mackley, A.M., Spear, M. L., Locke, R. M., & Joseph, R. A. (2010), Forgotten Parent; NICU paternal emotional response. Advances in Neonatal Care, 10(4), 200-203. DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0b013e3181e946f0
• Joseph R. A. (2008). Stress in fathers of NICU babies, Advances in Neonatal Care, 7(6),p 321-5. DOI: 10.1097/01.ANC.0000304973.77202.1b

Book Chapters

• Joseph, R. A. (2017). Neonatal CCRN Practice Test Questions. In S. R. Hardin & R. Kaplow (Eds.) Synergy for Clinical Excellence: The AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning
• Joseph, R. A (2015). Research Practicum. In Smith, M. J., Carpenter, R., & Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2015). Encyclopedia of nursing education. New York: Springer Publishing.

Research Interests

• Families
• Genomic integration in curriculum
• Nursing Education
• Parents of babies in Neonatal intensive care unit
• Quality of life
• Spirituality
• Stress and coping
• Student Engagement