Healthcare workers who witness the birth of a child are not only witnessing the baby's first breath, but also the changes in a family, primarily a mother. Ramona T. Mercer sees becoming a mother as a very elaborate and lifelong experience. Mercer developed the Theory of Maternal Role Achievement (MRA), which was later renamed the Theory of Maternal Role Achievement: Becoming a Mother (BAM). His theory provides a framework for the bond between mother and baby during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Mercer (2004) believes that each mother will have a unique experience in adapting to her new role, following a four-step process and may be influenced by several factors including maternal age, socioeconomic status and health status ( p. 227). Ramona Mercer's research is well known in the field of maternal and child nursing and current practice is still based on her research (Beal, Freda 2005). Ramona Thieme Mercer began her nursing career in 1950, after graduating from St. Margaret's School of Nursing in Alabama. She worked in pediatrics and also in postpartum and neonatal nurseries (maternal role achievement theory). She returned to school in 1960 earning a master's degree in maternal and child nursing from the University of New Mexico. Mercer once again returned to school in 1973 and completed his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. She has spent over 30 years researching parenting situations and how women take on the role of mother. In 1990 she was awarded the American Nurses Foundation's Distinguished Contribution to Nursing Science Award. Mercer (2004) believes that theory building is an ongoing process and that up-to-date research is needed (p. 230). She has spent many years researching the transition between a female… middle of paper… Nursing Scholarship , 36(3), 226-232.Husmillo, M. (2013). Maternal role achievement theory. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 28(2), 46-48. Maternal role achievement theory. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/mercer-maternal-role-attainment-theory.phpBeal, J., & Freda, M. (2005). Towards evidence-based practice: Becoming a mother versus the maternal role. The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 30(2), 145-145. Retrieved from http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/JournalArticle?Article_ID=576698&Journal_ID=54021&Issue_ID=576631Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient: Ramona t. haberdasher. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://nursing.unm.edu/alumni-and-friends/daa-profiles/ramona-mercer.html ]Mercer, R. (1995). Becoming a mother: research on maternal identity from Rubin to today. New York: Springer.