Our Vision, Mission, and Purpose

The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies inspires students to become leaders across social and healthcare environments who improve health outcomes for all, inclusive of underserved or vulnerable populations. These students are actively engaged with faculty in practice, policy, scholarship, and service. As a modern Jesuit institution, the central focus of our care is to improve health outcomes with particular attention to the needs of underserved or vulnerable populations.

Building on a tradition of caring, our commitment is to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive interprofessional nursing and health studies education that promotes social justice and facilitates reflection and life-long learning.

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Our History

The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies was founded as a four-year, full-time undergraduate baccalaureate program in 1970. Since its inception, it has enjoyed continuous recognition for the quality of its faculty members and graduates.

The Egan School’s undergraduate and graduate programs are approved by the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing and are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

 

The Egan School's History

Important years and corresponding events at the Egan School
Year Event

1970

First class of nursing students admitted.

1974

School of Nursing graduates first class of 19 nurses.

1976

Ground breaking for School of Nursing building.

1977

Dedication for School of Nursing building.

1980

RN-BSN program inaugurated.

1989

Nursing Honor Society established.

1992

Chartered Mu Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International.

Accelerated Nursing Program for second-degree students begins.

1994

Master of Science in Nursing established.

Health Promotion Center opens in Bridgeport, CT.

1995

First semester-long nursing study abroad program begins in England.

1996

Post Master's Certificate Program offered in Masters Program.

Nursing semester abroad program moves to Galway, Ireland.

2004

School of Nursing Advisory Board established.

2007

Nurse Anesthesia Program established in collaboration with Bridgeport Hospital Anesthesia Associates.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs VA Nursing Academy Grant Awarded.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) awarded accreditation of the baccalaureate and master's degree programs for a term of 10 years extending to December 31, 2017.

2008

Dedication of the Robin Kanarek Learning Resource Center.

2010

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), the first doctoral program at Fairfield University, is established.

Fairfield University Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) for a term of ten years extending to 2020.

2012

School of Nursing graduates first doctorate class.

2015

The School of Nursing receives a gift of $10 million from former Fairfield University Trustee William P. Egan ’67 and his wife Jacalyn. The School is renamed The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies in honor of Mr. Egan's mother.

2016

Groundbreaking for new nursing building.

2017

New Center for Nursing and Health Studies opens.

2018

Fairfield Egan Named a Center of Excellence

2020

Nursing students design and 3D print face shield and donate PPEs to local hospitals.

2021

Doctorate in Nurse Midwifery Granted Accreditation
Men in Nursing Club Becomes Official AAMN Chapter

2022

Fairfield Egan Joins Partnership with Yale New Haven Health to Combat Nursing Shortage

Fairfield Egan Introduces Online Masters Programs in Public Health and Healthcare Administration

2023

Fairfield Egan Opens New Austin, Texas Campus.

2024

Fairfield Egan and Florence University of the Arts Launches Nursing Internship Program in Italy