Nurses learn to listen as they begin clinical work

Janel Shoun | 01/03/2008

The third group of Lipscomb University nurses were awarded stethoscopes Friday in Allen Arena honor their completion of courses at Lipscomb and the beginning of clinical coursework at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.

The Nursing Class of 2009, 38 student nurses in new lab coats with embroidered names and patches, marched across the stage Friday to receive their first stethoscopes from Geri Reeves, director of the Lipscomb/Vanderbilt Nursing Partnership.

“We hope that you will look back on this ceremony and remember what you have learned here,” Reeves told the student nurses. “The stethoscope represents listening. Assessing the sounds of the body dates back to ancient civilizations when someone would put an ear to someone's chest. I want you to look at the stethoscope and remember to listen to the spiritual and emotional needs and concerns of your patients as well as their physical needs.”

“As I've talked with students who are in our nursing program, they tell me that they've never worked so hard in their entire lives. But, they have all been excited about this program and the education that they are receiving,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry. In May, Lipscomb graduated its first group of 29 nurses, educated through the innovative partnership that allows Lipscomb to offer a bachelor of science in nursing degree with clinical studies provided by Vanderbilt. Students take their first five semesters of foundational nursing courses at Lipscomb and three semesters of clinical courses at Vanderbilt. Twenty-seven of the 2007 graduates signed on to work at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for two years.

The stethoscope ceremony is often used to initiate nursing students into their first clinical experiences. Nursing students are required to have stethoscopes, and Lipscomb decided to provide our students with new ones to symbolize their positive goals as they go into clinical coursework.

The Lipscomb/Vanderbilt Partnership began in December 2003. Noticing a growing shortage of bachelor’s degree nurses in the Nashville community, Lipscomb officials launched the nursing partnership as a way to help alleviate the nursing shortage.

Sudanese nursing student surprised with gift when first class of Lipscomb nurses graduates, 5/3/07