Mary Highton, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Professor of Nursing

Education

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Old Dominion University, 2014
Master of Science in Nursing, Liberty University, 2003
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Liberty University, 1992

Biography

Dr. Highton has been at Liberty University since 2008. Her primary focus is Pediatrics, Leadership, Advanced Practice and Simulation. Dr. Highton is a retired neonatal nurse practitioner. Dr. Highton has experience as a bedside nurse, educator, neonatal transport nurse, manager of a nurse practitioner practice and as a practicing NP for over thirty years.

While at Liberty University, Dr. Highton’s focus has been on pediatrics, particularly simulation; leadership; and advanced critical care for the maternal-child population. She has a love for missions and has traveled to Kenya and Guatemala with pediatric students students.

Professional Memberships

Academy of Neonatal Nurses
Sigma Theta Tau

Courses Taught

NURS 316 Global Health Nursing Field Experience
NURS 353 Caring for the Childbearing Family II
NURS 357 Nursing Care of Children Clinical
NURS 466 Advanced Critical Care II
NURS 492 Advanced Concepts of Nursing Practice

Publications (peer-reviewed articles)

Highton, M., Joseph, R, Dryer, D. Haydon, D. “Snip the tip: Neonatal Male Circumcision and Religious, Cultural, and Health Agendas”. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing. July 2022. DOI:10.1097/JPS.0000000000000355.
Joseph, Rachel, Mary Highton, and Cindy Goodrich. “Let’s Talk About Scrubs.” Nursing management. 52.3 (2021): 26–32. Web.
Joseph, Rachel, and Mary Highton. “Masks and Face Covers.” Journal of pediatric surgical nursing. 9.3 (2020): 97–106. Web.
Joseph, R., Highton, M. (2020). “Smart Technology in the NICU and Hospital Acquired Infections”. Neonatal Network, May/June 2020.
Highton, M., Miller, K., T. Turner, & Bruffy, A. (2019, September). Improving communication and collaboration between nursing and medical students through an obstetrical interprofessional simulation experience. NLN Summit 2019, National Harbor, MD

Research Interests

Breastfeeding Infants in the NICU
Use of Video-Technology to Improve Breastfeeding Outcomes
The Benefits of Critical Care Classes in Acquiring Jobs after Graduation