Nursing Theory Group Project: Ramona Mercer



Nursing Theory Group Project: Ramona MercerJessica Dematio, Rachael Seiter, Maggie Siler, Susan VansteelFerris State UniversityRamona Mercer Ramona Mercer is a nursing theorist who practiced and developed the art of maternal/child nursing from 1950 to 1987. She had a deep interest in helping mothers of every shape and form become successful parents. She accomplished this by developing her theory, concepts, and interventions to guide nurses toward assisting every new mother become the most successful parent possible. Below is outlined our papers purpose, and the assumptions, concepts, and interpretation of Ramona Mercer’s nursing theory.Purpose and issues Mothers have existed throughout the ages. Amazingly this was accomplished without research. As mankind became enlightened and educated, life events and experiences were documented. Ramona T. Mercer dedicated her career and research to the advancement of maternal role attainment. Assumptions and Point of View (Origins of the Model) The origins of Ramona Mercer’s midrange nursing theory of maternal role attainment lie in her initial career as a pediatric nurse as well as intra/post- partum and newborn nursery staff nurse. Ramona Mercer’s quest for professional nursing knowledge speaks for itself as she completed her first nursing degree in 1950. She continued her education throughout her career and retired as Professor, Department of Family Health Care Nursing at the University of Southern California in 1987. Her ongoing research on parenting has spanned the course of over thirty years. Her maternal role attainment (more recently updated to becoming a mother) model serves as a framework for nurses to assist mothers form a strong attachment to their child, and to their role as a mother ("Nursing theory - role attainment," 2005). She feels strongly that “interactive nursing interventions are the most effective in enhancing mother-infant interactions and maternal knowledge about infant care” (Mercer & Walker, 2006). Her theory specifically addresses interventions to help nontraditional mothers become successful parents (, 2010). In her early research she studied breastfeeding mothers with post- partum illness and mothers whose children were born with defects. From there she continued studies of mothers of various age groups, family situations and economic status. This continued research lead to further development of her theories framework as well as the revision to becoming a mother which reflects parenthood as an ongoing process, not only as an attained goal. Reva Rubin who was Mercer’s professor at the University of Pittsburgh was also her mentor for research and theory development. Rubin was well known for her work in maternal role attainment theory. Many of the variables studied by Mercer reflect, test and expand on Rubin’s framework (Meighan, 2008). Due to the complex issues involved with the study of becoming a mother Mercer also utilized the research of many others in the development of her rmation and concepts (Content of the nursing model) Theorist interpretation is based on one’s ability to relate to the information they are reading and to the models definition. As a parent, relating to Mercer’s theory clarified some characteristics of children and how family dynamics can relate to her nursing model. In her book Becoming a Mother she states that “mother-father relationships, family functioning, social support, and stress have direct and indirect effects on the mother and child and maternal identity” (Mercer, 15). The environment in a mother’s life during pregnancy can have an effect such as, a child who never feels he is adequate or complete, because his mother was going through a divorce while pregnant. Ramona believes that “stresses within the environment can influence both maternal and paternal role attainment and the developing child” (Meighan, 2008, p. 587). Most parents can remember the nurse that took care of their children. How they handled the child in NICU and how they helped with first time breast feeding. Mercer uses nursing care “during the mothers pregnancy and over the first year following birth as having long term effects for her and her child” (Meighan, 2008, p. 587). Prenatal care for the woman is very important to the woman and developing child and Mercer states that “abused woman seek prenatal care late” and “woman who had not received prenatal care were not as involved with their infants as were mothers who had” (Mercer, 70). As our economy and healthcare reform issues are being addressed women may not have the financial ability to obtain proper prenatal care and as nurses we must not make them feel uncomfortable about their situation. “Mothers’ health status is positively related to maternal behavior and maternal role identity” (Mercer, 184). Recently a woman in Oklahoma gave birth to a baby girl and passed away three days later due to refusing chemotherapy for her cancer (FOX). Would Mercer be concerned for this child’s own health due to her mother’s role in her own healthcare? Does the child have stresses from her mother’s cancer and does this impact her overall health? In Mercer’s theory she “stresses the importance of healthcare during the childbearing and childrearing processes” (Meighan, 2008, p. 587). Everyone who has had a child can probably sympathize with losing weight after pregnancy or wanting to get right into those jeans after childbirth. Mercer holds the “concepts of self-esteem and self-confidence as important in attainment of the maternal role” (Meighan, 2008, p. 587). Bonding is important between parent and child and when the parent is lacking self-esteem they may begin to doubt their role as a mother. Hormones, body changes, nausea, and maintaining some self-worth may be troublesome for women, especially when they do not have the support of family. Mercer states “pregnancy represents some loss of control over one’s body” (Mercer, 41). Losing control on any form of a personal level could cause a new mom to regret or hold someone accountable for what she is feeling. “The mother’s ability to adapt her responses to the developing infant is affected by her maternal attitudes and traits in addition to her functional status and self-esteem” (Mercer, 187). Interpretation and inference/Implications and consequenceRamona T. Mercer’s theory of maternal role attainment (becoming a mother) is related to the process of pregnancy and the first year of the infant’s life. The focus is to understand the process of a woman’s life change to mother status, and how the nurse can help the woman and her family throughout this life change. Mercer’s theory covers attachment to the infant, mother development of caretaking, and finally satisfaction with the role as a mother. There are a few major assumptions discussed by Mercer. The first is that the woman will develop her own ways of looking at the reactions of those around her to her parenting skills. These are based on her life experiences, developmental level, and personality. She also states that the infant will give feedback to the mother’s skills. This feedback happens in the form of growth and development. Also noted, the father or significant other gives a kind of support unlike anyone else, and is an active member in the maternal role attainment process. Finally she states that maternal attachment and maternal identity go hand in hand, affecting one another in the process of maternal development (Meighan, 2008). According to Mercer, the first year of the infant’s life is influenced greatly by the nurse. The nurse has a major role in health promotion, teaching, and care throughout the pregnancy and adjustment to motherhood. The nurse is there at every office visit throughout pregnancy, teaching and answering question. This process continues as the baby is born, and the nurse implements teaching of how to care for the infant. Throughout the first year, the nurse is at well-baby check-ups, with continued teaching and giving support to the mother as she becomes adjusted to her new role. By far, the nurse is very influential to the mother in this time period of change. Heath status, per Mercer’s theory, revolves around how the mother and father view health before the child, currently, and in the future. It also extends to cover the likely hood of disease and illness, worry about health, and sick orientation and roles. She states that health status indirectly influences the family’s overall cohesiveness. Of course, maintaining health care throughout raising the child is stressed as very important by Mercer. Finally, Mercer explains the influence of the environment on maternal role attainment. She states that the environment is an equal part in development, as the settings one lives and interacts in affect the role attainment (Meighan, 2008).Overall, Mercer’s theory is a complex study of the process of becoming a parent, specifically a mother. There are major changes within the relationship of the parents upon conception. The child then continues to cause change in the parent’s relationship. Both mother and father have to change their lives, to accommodate the new person in their household. The mother, specifically, has huge changes according to Mercer. She begins the process of maternal role development upon become pregnant. In most situations the mother is the primary caregiver, and her bond with the infant is an ongoing process, with eventual feelings of becoming and feeling secure as a mother. The nurse is very helpful in this process, and can offer support throughout the role change (Meighan, 2008).ReferencesFox News (2011, October 18). Oklahoma Mother Reportedly Refused Cancer Treatment So Child Could Survive. Fox . Retrieved from , M. (2008). Maternal role attainment-becoming a mother. In M. R. Alligood, & A. M. Tomey (Eds.), Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed., pp. 581-598). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier.Mercer, Ramona T. RN, PhD, FAAN., (1995). Becoming a Mother. Research On Maternal Identity From Rubin To The Present. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc., (pp. 15-187). Mercer, R. T., & Walker, L. O. (2006, September-October). A review of nursing interventions to foster becoming a mother. Journal of Obstetrical, Gynecological and Neonatal Nursing, 35, 568-582. Retrieved from . (2010). attainment: Ramona T. Mercer. (2005). Retrieved October 17, 2011, from ................
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