Mary Adams, Ph.D., RN

Professor
Director of Innovative Learning

Dr. Mary Adams came to PLNU with six years of teaching experience in the Chicagoland area. Prior to teaching, she was a staff nurse in both a large teaching hospital and smaller community hospital. Her background is in trauma ICU, labor and delivery, and home care. She currently teaches in the graduate and undergraduate nursing programs as well as the simulation lab.

Education

  • Ph.D., Loyola University, Chicago 
  • MSN, Lewis University 
  • BSN, Loyola University, Chicago 

Courses Taught

  • GNSG 7080 Context of Practice, Populations and Outcomes Management
  • GNSG 6016 Advanced Health Assessment: Women’s Health
  • NSG 3030 Nursing of Families, The Childbearing Process
  • NSG 3099 Nursing Research

Experience in Field

  • Point Loma Nazarene University, 2016 – present
  • Lewis University, Romeoville, IL, 2009 – 2016
  • Edward Hospital, Naperville, IL, 2001 – 2009
  • Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, 1992 – 2001

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Member of AWHONN (Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses)
  • Member of Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, Zeta Mu Chapter
  • Volunteer at Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center (July 2024-current)
  • Volunteer with Champions of Heath to administer COVID vaccines (February 2021-2022)

Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications

  • Adams, M. & Almonte, A. (2022). First time mother’s definition of a “good mother”. The American Journal of Qualitative Research 6(2), https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/12218
  • Adams, M., Byrn, M., Penckofer, S., Bryant, F., & Almonte, A. (2021). Expectations of motherhood and quality of life. The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 46(1), 70-75. Doi 10.1097/NMC.0000000000000690
  • Adams, M., Lambert, K., Montejano, A., & Sloan, C. Building community and confidence with compassion: a new approach to annual nursing skills check-offs. Poster presentation at the NurseTim Nuts and Bolts Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 6-7 2021.
  • Adams, M. Defining a ‘Good’ Mother. Poster presentation at the AWHONN California state annual conference, San Francisco, California, February 7-9, 2019.
  • Adams, M. (2016). Expectations and Quality of Life During the Antepartum and Postpartum Period (Publication No. 2116) [Doctoral dissertation, Loyola University, Chicago]. Digital Commons Network, Nursing Commons.
  • Adams, M., & Penckofer, S. Expectations and quality of life during the antepartum and postpartum period. Poster presentation at the 2016 WIN Conference: Innovations in Engagement through Research, Practice, and
  • Education, Anaheim, California, April 6-9, 2016.
  • Adams, M., & Gedzyk-Neiman, S. Do staff nurse perceptions of nursing students change after implementation of a written feedback form? A Pilot Study. Lewis University Celebration of Scholarship, April 14, 2016.
  • Adams, M., & Penckofer, S. What are the expectations, a
  • ttitudes, and images of new mothers? Poster presentation at the 14th Annual UCLA Research and Evidence Based Practice Conference, Los Angeles, California, April 21-22, 2015, and Annual Palmer Symposium, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL., April 11, 2015.
  • Adams, M. (2015). Motherhood: a discrepancy theory. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice, 29(2), 143-157. Doi: 10.1891/1541-6577.29.2.143