Published: May 09, 2008 11:33 pm            

KCU nursing school construction under way

New quarters triples space available for program

GRAYSON — Construction is under way on Kentucky Christian University’s new Robert and Nina Yancey School of Nursing, and the facility is expected to be ready to use by the beginning of the fall term, school officials say.

KCU is building the 11,500 square-foot facility on the second floor of the King’s Daughters Medical Specialties building, which is on Carol Malone Boulevard near the entrance to the campus.

The new quarters triples the space available for KCU’s nursing program, said Dean Carol Brickey.

It includes three large clinical classrooms separated by movable partitions. There also is another large classroom/conference room, numerous faculty offices and a student lounge.

Like most buildings on campus, access to the facility will be card-controlled for security.

Wireless internet access will be available throughout.

The nursing program, which started in 2002 with a handful of students, has outgrown its original building, Brickey said.

“We needed more lab space particularly, where students simulate real-world situations,” Brickey said.

Currently the program can add up to 30 students per year. The building is designed with the capacity to grow along with enrollment, which Brickey expects will trend upward. Also, the program will continue to add classes each year, she said.

The project is being done in a partnership with King’s Daughters, which offers medical services on the ground floor. Students will get clinical experience there as well as at KDMC in Ashland.

In addition to her university post, Brickey is a nurse-practitioner for the King’s Daughters facility.

Also, King’s Daughters and the university have arranged student access to medical services there.

“The whole project is a collaboration. The building is on our property. It’s been a partnership since day one,” said Bill Bondurant, vice president of business and finance at KCU.

Swift completion of the school is a top priority and contractors are working throughout the day and night, seven days a week, Bondurant said.

Principal funding for the $1 million project came from two grants. Board member Nina Yancey gave the school $500,000 and the James Graham Brown Foundation of Louisville gave $300,000, Bondurant said.

KCU offers a traditional four-year program and also an RN to BSN program through which nurses possessing two-year degrees can complete their baccalaureate degree with a minor in Bible studies.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.

        

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