Graduate Spotlight: Youn completes long journey to earn nursing degree
South Korea native to serve others at prestigious Cleveland Clinic
Kim Chaudoin |
Dayul Youn receives his diploma from Lipscomb President Candice McQueen during commencement Dec. 17 in Allen Arena.
When Dayul Youn crossed the stage in Allen Arena during December commencement, he was the very last graduate of nearly 500 to receive college degrees during the ceremony. As he walked off the stage diploma firmly in hand, he let out an exuberant whoop and raised his arms in triumph.
While this excitement was likely felt by every member of the December graduating class, Youn, a native of Seoul, South Korea, had even more reason to celebrate. For the last two years, Youn worked every weekend and every day during breaks to pay his way through school. Saturday, Dec. 17 — the day of commencement — was his first weekend off in that length of time and he spent his “free time” proudly celebrating the completion of his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Youn’s family, who was unable to travel to Nashville to celebrate this milestone with him, watched the ceremony streamed live via the internet from nearly 7,000 miles away.
As Youn returns to his seat, as the last member of the December Class of 2022 to walk across the Allen Arena stage raises his arms in triumph to celebrate his accomplishment.
“It has been a long journey to finish nursing school and I could not have done without God and the people that He gave me,” explains Youn. “But I regret one thing very much. I love my cohorts, the spring Class of 2022, but I was never able to hang out with them because I always had to go to work. They are a gift to me and I will never forget every moment I had with them.”
Youn came to America by himself about 12 years ago. In high school, he worked as a sushi chef in a Japanese restaurant. To earn money for tuition, books and college expenses, he worked in a variety of roles, including as kitchen chef and manager, at several restaurants. He also worked as a nursing extern at Centennial Medical Center.
“First of all, I could not have completed anything without God’s grace. I am not the best student and I have failed multiple exams. However, I reminded myself that I need to study more so I can help patients. I had to consistently remind myself that if I work hard, God will help me,” shares Youn. “I gave my absolute best to God and did my best to complete this degree. It was not easy to manage work and school at the same time. My usual study time was 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. because I got out of work around 9 p.m. every day. I just want to encourage others that God will help you if you work hard. He is alive and listens to you.”
The day before graduation, Youn received the Heather Knox Barber Award and the Spirit of Nursing Award at the School of Nursing pinning ceremony. This is the first time a nursing student was ever awarded two separate awards.
Youn with Dr. Chelsia Harris, School of Nursing executive director, at the nursing pinning ceremony on Dec. 16.
“Daniel is a wonderful student who is quiet, thoughtful, dedicated, hard-working and compassionate,” says Chelsia Harris, executive director of Lipscomb’s School of Nursing. “Even though his family was not able to come from South Korea for his pinning ceremony or graduation, he still smiles and demonstrates gratitude for all of his blessings. He honors every person he comes into contact with. We are honored to have him as a student, an alumnus and future colleague.”
Now, the freshly minted college graduate will embark on a new professional chapter as he has accepted a position as a registered nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at The Cleveland Clinic, one of the top cardiovascular hospitals in the nation. “I am so grateful. This means a lot because Cleveland Clinic is best cardiovascular hospital in the world, and I am thrilled to work there as a Lipscomb Alum,” he says.
A mission trip inspired Youn to pursue a career serving others.
“I wanted to pursue a degree in nursing because I love helping sick people,” says Youn. “I went to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip with my church a couple of years ago. On the team was a cardiology resident who volunteered to help sick children. And at that moment, I decided that I wanted to help sick people because it is the best way to serve others. After the trip, I started to look into nursing profession, and I realized nursing is perfect fit for me.”
When it came time to attend college, Youn said he chose Lipscomb because of its Christian mission. “Also, I heard great things about the nursing program from my friends which led me to attend Lipscomb,” he says.
Although Youn worked hard in the classroom to earn his BSN degree and to pay his way through college, he credits others for his success.
“My friends and faculty inspired and encouraged me the most while I was at school. I learned from the best faculty and friends,” he continues. “My friends’ hard work inspired me to work harder and to strive to be like them. Also, each nursing faculty encouraged and supported me fully. I cannot explain how hard my nursing faculty worked to help each student.”
He especially wants to thank his family, friends and faculty and says he doesn’t know “where I would be today without them.”
“God had surrounded me with great and the best people. I could not have accomplished anything without them,” he said. “I have studied with the best students and learned from the best faculty.”