(MURRAY, Ky.) – Murray State University announced Thursday it has secured $640,000 in scholarship funding for nursing students through a partnership between regional healthcare providers and a state matching program.
The scholarships come from donations by Baptist Health Paducah, Mercy Health, and Jackson Purchase Medical Center, with matching funds provided through the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund. The university also received an additional $107,500 from CPE for nursing equipment purchases.
Created during the 2023 legislative session, the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund operates as a public-private partnership that matches healthcare provider donations dollar-for-dollar. The program provides training scholarships for Kentucky residents while incentivizing excellence in healthcare professional programs.
“This Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund will provide critical financial assistance to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program,” said Dr. Dina Byers, dean of Murray State’s School of Nursing and Health Professions. “Additionally, this partnership will enable students to enter the workforce and support our region’s healthcare needs.”
Students selected for the scholarships, which will become available starting spring 2026, must commit to working at one of the participating hospitals after graduation. The funding will help cover tuition and fees for recipients.
University President Dr. Ron Patterson characterized the investment as benefiting both students and communities. “This generous funding allows us to prepare highly skilled, compassionate nurses who will serve where they are needed most,” he said.
The scholarship announcement comes during a period of growth for the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Over the past year, the school received $1 million in USDA funding to develop a dental hygiene program and nearly $500,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration for BSN clinical education. The school has also reported record enrollment in its BSN, family nurse practitioner, and nurse anesthesia programs.
Construction continues on Jackson Hall, the school’s new facility, which is scheduled to open in fall 2026. The building will feature expanded laboratory space, advanced technology, simulation areas, and collaborative spaces for students and faculty, along with housing the campus health clinic.
