Murray State University officials broke ground on a new Nursing and Health Professions building Friday.
Local public health leaders joined Murray State officials and state legislators at the ceremony.
The new building will cost $45.5 million, which will go towards providing students with bigger classrooms and more spaces for hands-on learning.
During opening remarks, Murray State President Bob Jackson said it’s important to continue to grow and enhance nursing programs in the state.
“In a recent Kentucky Hospital Association report, it noted there were 13,000 open healthcare jobs in Kentucky right now- 5,000 of them are registered nurses,” Jackson said. “Murray State University has a lot to do and we stand ready to do our part, and I know everyone in here stands ready to do their part as well.”
Dina Byers, dean of the school of nursing and health professions, said the new building will impact healthcare programs.
“It will be a place to support our educational mission by interdisciplinary and collaborative teaching and learning,” Byers said. “It will be a place for our students and faculty to develop long lasting relationships, and it will be a place for students who will learn to provide safe, efficient quality care to a variety of patients in a variety of settings.”
Construction will begin in March 2024, with completion expected in January 2026.
