Dr. Christina Beall Joins Belmont's College of Nursing Leadership Team

Health care leader to spearhead innovative curriculum development initiatives

Belmont University's Inman College of Nursing has welcomed Dr. Christina Beall as academic advisor to the dean. In this pivotal role, she will spearhead the development of Belmont's new Master's Entry to Nursing Practice program, drawing on her over 27 years of experience in nursing and academia to shape this innovative initiative. 

Beall joins Belmont from the University of South Carolina Beaufort, where she served as department chair and associate professor of the nursing program. Her career spans positions at multiple prestigious institutions, including the Medical University of South Carolina and Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah. She maintains board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner through ANCC and brings comprehensive clinical experience in mental health care, critical care, family practice, women's health, pediatric care and medical-legal consulting. 

"I was drawn to Belmont because of the people and their innovative spirit,” said Beall. “The authenticity and genuine good intent that everyone demonstrated was truly impressive. Being a faith-based organization certainly impacts that, and the true servant leadership from the top down is really apparent here." 

In her new role, Beall will lead several key initiatives, including the development of the Master's Entry to Nursing Practice program, marking a significant expansion of Belmont's nursing education offerings. She will also help facilitate program innovation that enables students to be exposed to nursing opportunities in areas of greatest need, such as home health, hospice, hospital-at-home and rural health care. 

"Dr. Beall brings exactly the kind of visionary leadership and deep expertise we need as we expand our program to adapt to an ever-evolving health care landscape," said Dean of Nursing Dr. Julie Honey. "Her background in curriculum development and commitment to innovative teaching approaches will be invaluable as we launch our Master's Entry to Nursing Practice program and prepare the next generation of nursing leaders." 

Looking beyond Belmont's program development, Beall brings a deep understanding of the broader challenges facing nursing education and health care delivery. 

"Our industry is facing critical challenges right now, especially with shortages of health care educators and nursing students, and the issue of nurse retention once students begin practicing,” Beall said. “Our initiatives need to focus on how we retain everyone, not only our nursing faculty but also how we support and sustain nurses post-licensure." 

Beall's research focuses on civility in academic and health care settings, nursing curriculum development, pediatric psychosocial wellness and overall health and wellness of nursing staff. Her most recent publication examined issues related to incivility in health care settings, conducted with an interprofessional group at the Medical University of South Carolina. 

She has served on multiple state-level boards and organizations, including the South Carolina Deans and Directors Nurse Educators Committee, the South Carolina Hospital Association, the South Carolina Nurses Foundation and the South Carolina Health Action Coalition. 

"With my background, I understand the importance of curriculum that is not only relevant but also innovative, sustainable and comprehensive,” said Beall. “It's essential to create an environment conducive to learning where students can be curious and vulnerable." 

Beall holds a doctorate in nursing and brings particular expertise in program accreditation, simulation-based learning and increasing diversity in nursing education. Her appointment reflects Belmont's ongoing commitment to innovative health care education and leadership in nursing program development. 

Outside of academia, Beall is an active volunteer with the Sea Turtle Tracker Organization on Hilton Head Island, monitoring and protecting loggerhead sea turtle nests. She is the mother of a 23-year-old daughter who teaches English in Japan, and she plans to split her time between Nashville and South Carolina.  

"In describing my approach to nursing education, I would include an emphasis on starting with what we are doing well and then determining a pathway to do more of that,” shared Beall. “I approach curriculum work using appreciative inquiry, a strategy that allows programs to focus on strengths and possibilities. Through this process, less effective practices naturally fall to the wayside allowing more space for engaging and innovative approaches. Ultimately, nursing programs are developed and nurtured by nurse educators who care deeply about providing an exceptional education to nursing students that will then be prepared to nurture and care for others.”