Murray State University hosts groundbreaking for new School of Nursing and Health Professions building

MURRAY, Ky. – The Murray State University campus and broader community participated in a special groundbreaking event for the University’s new School of Nursing and Health Professions building on Dec. 8, 2023.

The building will offer Murray State students expanded opportunities such as laboratories, simulation areas, larger classrooms and more study and collaborative spaces. 

With the field of healthcare growing and seeing more demand, the new facility will help Murray State continue to meet the needs in the region for healthcare professionals. 

In the last legislative session, the Kentucky General Assembly approved $45.5 million in funding for the construction of the building, which is expected to open in January 2026. 

“Today’s groundbreaking for Murray State University’s new School of Nursing and Health Professions building is a tremendous moment for our institution, the west Kentucky region, the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson. “We are very grateful to all of our legislators for their support as this initiative becomes a reality through the construction of this beautiful state-of-the-art facility. Through our excellent faculty and staff in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, we are continuing to prepare our students well as the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

Murray State University Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions Dr. Dina Byers shared that the new building “will be a place for collaboration and innovation.” 

“We will provide healthcare education that is interdisciplinary and collaborative by using state-of-the-art technology and creative instruction,” said Byers. “Graduates from these programs will have the knowledge and skills to provide care to complex patients in a variety of settings. Our graduates will be well-equipped to help meet the healthcare workforce needs of western Kentucky and beyond. The new space will allow the School of Nursing and Health Professions to expand and develop new healthcare programs." 

Murray State is working closely with RossTarant Architects for the building’s architectural and interior design as well as Ayers Saint Gross, a design firm that specializes in nursing facility design. Marcum Engineering and Bacon Farmer Workman (BFW) Engineering & Testing are overseeing other areas of the project such as mechanical, electrical and structural design.

Murray State offers a variety of healthcare degrees, including the following:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which is a four-year program to prepare students to become licensed as registered nurses.

• RN to BSN program that is 100 percent online, can be completed in one calendar year, and is suited for registered nurses who are looking to complete their BSN.

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), a two-year program that is also offered 100 percent online.

• A BSN to DNP program that has two specializations: a nurse anesthetist specialization for students to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA); and a family nurse practitioner specialization for students to provide primary care to patients in a variety of settings. 

• Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is a two-year graduate program to prepare students to become certified occupational therapists.

• Master of Science in Nutrition, dietetic internship programs that prepare students to become licensed and certified as Registered Dietitians.

• Master of Science in Nutrition, a non-internship program that is 100 percent online and designed for students with a bachelor's degree interested in learning more about nutrition and health. 

• The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition degree program offers two tracks, dietetics or nutrition and foods track. The dietetics track prepares students for graduate work to be eligible to become registered dietitians. The nutrition and foods track provides a broad education in nutrition and food production. This track allows a student to choose supporting electives in an area where the nutrition knowledge may be applied or to choose electives leading to a minor.

• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science is a program to prepare students for graduate degree programs such as PT, OT, PA, chiropractic or medical schools. Students can complete either the pre-health professionals track or exercise physiology track. 

• The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program is 100 percent online and designed for working RRTs who want to enhance their professional knowledge.

• The Bachelor of Science in Public and Community Health (PCH) at Murray State University is a dynamic major that is interdisciplinary and provides options that allow students to prepare for various careers in public and community health organizations, such as hospitals, governmental agencies, non-profits and worksite wellness programs. 

To learn more, visit murraystate.edu/nursing.