Members of Murray State University broke ground on a nursing and health professions building with the intent to expand their healthcare programs and possibilities provided to address the shortage of workers in health-related fields on Friday.
Plans for a new nursing building on Murray State’s main campus were announced over a year ago and has been made possible with $45.5 million that was awarded to the University by the Kentucky General Assembly. School of Nursing and Health Professions Dean, Dina Byers says the nursing program has outgrown Mason Hall, the building it is currently housed in, and additional space would help them provide more opportunities for expanding their programs.
Byers says possible plans with expanding their programs comes at a time where there is a shortage of healthcare workers in the state. The projected design for the building includes larger classrooms in order to provide more seats in healthcare classes.
For the new nursing building, Byers says it will stand at three stories tall include student study spaces, a wellness room, a medical simulation center and facilities for students who plan to work in the exercise science field.
Byers also says the new building will work as a recruitment tool as well for prospective students. In the past the school of nursing has hosted high school workshops, but with state-of-the-art equipment, Byers says they will be able to really show them what working in the healthcare field would look like.
Despite plans for the new building, Byers says some nursing and healthcare programs will still be housed in Mason Hall. The new nursing building is projected to be completed and open to students by January 2026.