Youngblood brings lifelong love of nursing to Lipscomb program
Kim Chaudoin |
Beth Youngblood has wanted to be a nurse for as long as she can remember.
As a child, she played teacher and nurse with her collection of stuffed animals. Determined that she wanted to pursue a career in nursing, Youngblood, at age 13, got a job helping out in a large Nashville obstetrics and gynecology practice. It was there that she fell in love with women’s health and the excitement that comes with expectant families.
That early interaction with nursing led Youngblood to pursue a career in that field, both as a practitioner and an educator, allowing her to realize her childhood dream. Today, Youngblood serves as the newly appointed executive associate dean for Lipscomb University’s School of Nursing, housed in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
“I have wanted to be a nurse and a teacher since I was a child,” said Youngblood. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue both of those passions.”
Youngblood will draw on her lifetime career in nursing and education to continue to expand Lipscomb’s nursing program and curriculum that focuses not only on preparing nurses clinically but also emphasizes the importance of bedside interaction with patients and their families.
“Beth brings a rich background as a practicing nurse and an educator to the School of Nursing. Having worked in the field, she has a unique perspective as she leads the academic component of this program that will help our students be better prepared for their careers,” said Roger Davis, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Following her work at the ob-gyn practice, Youngblood worked as a nurse in a general practice office. She also worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia, Tenn. In addition, Youngblood taught obstetrics at Columbia State Community College for nine years. From 2002 until May 2012, Youngblood was on faculty at Belmont University’s School of Nursing, where she also served as course coordinator for the maternal infant course curriculum committee leadership council.
“I am particularly excited about the focus we will have here on the bedside nurse,” said Youngblood. “We have to have nurses who are great thinkers and leaders as they interact with patients and administer care. We want to produce leaders in the nursing field who are problem-solvers and key members of the health care team.”
Youngblood said the Christian focus of a Lipscomb education is a natural fit for the nursing program.
“The two words ‘Christian’ and ‘nursing’ fit together better than any other words to me. Both of these have service as a key component. Our program is deeply rooted in staying true to the values and morals of our Christian mission. We hold our students to a high standard. If you don’t have integrity as a health care provider, you have nothing. And, studies show that nurses are the number one trusted profession. We have to protect this trust,” said Youngblood.
Youngblood is passionate about nursing and training future generations of practitioners.
“Nurses love people. They want to improve people’s lives. They need to serve others,” said Youngblood. “Nursing is not your job or your career. It is who you are. People trust you. We have to be good enough nurses to serve anyone who is in need, no matter where you are. You are on call for the world 24-7.”
A Nashville native, Youngblood holds an associate’s degree and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Belmont University. She also has a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Vanderbilt University and an Ed.D. from Trevecca Nazarene University. Youngblood is also a certified women’s health nurse practioner.
About the Lipscomb University School of Nursing
Lipscomb University’s School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. Students who complete this program of study will have experienced multiple clinical placements prior to graduation. This degree provides students with training in nursing education strongly complimented by extensive study in the humanities and social sciences. Thus, students are well prepared to function as a nurse and also have the necessary foundation to pursue masters and doctoral studies in nursing. The B.S.N. program was launched in 2003. It is housed within Lipscomb’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. This fall, the school will move into its new home in the Health Sciences Simulation Center, an $8.5 million, 24,800-square-foot facility that features collaborative learning spaces and an assessment skills lab with a 12-station unit that will be used for students to practice their physical assessment and diagnostic skills in addition to immunization training, safety training, CPR certification and other vital skills.