Murray State University FNP Program

The Wall Street Journal has released a new story on nurse practitioners — and the headline says it all: “Nurse Practitioner Is Now the Hottest Job in Healthcare.” From expanding access to care to meeting growing patient needs, NPs are helping shape the future of health care. This is a proud moment for the profession!

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics project Nurse Practitioners to be the fastest growing healthcare profession (40%) for 2024-2034.

The fastest-growing healthcare jobs Explore the fastest growing healthcare jobs from 2024 to 2034, led by nurse practitioners with 40% projected growth, per BLS data.

Celebrating an incredible achievement!

Jenna Thomas-Roberts earned Best Poster at the KANPNM Annual Coalition Conference for her presentation, “Empowering Parents in the Emergency Department.” Her project evaluated the impact of a brief educational video on parents’ understanding and use of non-pharmacological pain management strategies during pediatric IV insertions in a rural emergency department. Jenna was mentored on this project by Dr. Jennifer Rogers. Congratulations, Jenna!

We’re proud to celebrate our students from the FNP program who recently presented their research at the Kentucky Coalition Conference in Louisville!

Their work highlights the innovation, dedication, and passion our students bring to advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes. Opportunities like this allow them to share their knowledge, engage with professionals across the state, and grow as future leaders in their fields. We couldn’t be more proud of how they represented SONHP and Murray State!

We’re proud to celebrate graduating FNP student Jenna Thomas-Roberts! From a 19-year-old nursing student to a confident, soon-to-be nurse practitioner, Jenna’s journey at Murray State University is a testament to growth, perseverance, and the power of mentorship. Over the past seven years, she has embraced every step of the journey, building the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

Her story highlights the lasting impact of supportive faculty and the strength it takes to believe in yourself, even before you fully see it. We can’t wait to see all that Jenna accomplishes next. Congratulations!

We’re proud to celebrate graduating FNP student Madelyn Travis! 🎓

Through her time at Murray State University, Madelyn has grown into a confident nurse and future nurse practitioner—balancing work, school, and family while pursuing her dream. Her journey reflects dedication, resilience, and the power of a strong support system.

During her clinical experiences, Madelyn discovered a passion for women’s health and urgent care, and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in those areas. Congratulations, Madelyn!

We’re proud to celebrate graduating FNP student Lora Phillips! 🎓

Lora’s journey is a powerful reminder that determination makes all the difference. Through hard work, perseverance, and belief in herself, she has turned “I can’t” into “I can”—and that mindset will continue to carry her far beyond graduation.

We can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes next. Congratulations, Lora!

We’re proud to celebrate graduating FNP student Grace Wi******er! 🎓

Through her time at Murray State University, Grace has embraced every opportunity to grow—balancing work, life, and her education while building the confidence and clinical foundation needed to succeed as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Her journey reflects the power of support, flexibility, and dedication, and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in the healthcare field. Congratulations, Grace!

Last Thursday in NUR 928: Diagnostic Tests & Procedures, our NP students engaged in a hands-on skills lab focused on suturing, joint injections, and incision & drainage procedures. Students also had the opportunity to learn from guest speaker Dr. Floyd, Radiologist, who provided valuable insight into diagnostic imaging and techniques and how imaging supports clinical decision-making. Dr. Rust also assisted in the skills lab, guiding the students as they practiced and refined their skills.

Experiences like this strengthen clinical reasoning and prepare our students to deliver safe, evidence-based patient care. We’re incredibly proud of the dedication these future nurse practitioners continue to show as they refine their skills and grow in their professional roles.