Nursing Leadership

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A Greater Calling Deserves A Greater Education

Fairfield University's Masters in Nursing Leadership is an advanced education nurse generalist degree created in response to an urgent call for better patient outcomes and improved coordination in the delivery of healthcare services. Students learn to address the future demands in the field, such as needs of an aging population, chronic illness management, health promotion and disease prevention, and integrated healthcare leadership. Additionally, graduates of the program will provide leadership at all levels of healthcare to move organizations toward evidence-based systems of care, to produce better patient outcomes.

The Masters in Nursing Leadership is the perfect degree for graduate nurses who do not wish to be nurse practitioners but want to maximize career options in dynamic healthcare environments in nursing leadership roles, including management, clinical nurse leaders, nurse navigators, care coordinators (trauma and stroke), hospital education, adjunct clinical faculty, quality improvement, risk management, and a variety of newly emerging roles. To better align students with the growing needs of interdisciplinary healthcare, students can choose from the variety of courses in any of the graduate programs on campus.

Sneak Peek | Fairfield University School of Nursing and Health Studies

Fairfield Egan Fast Facts

Top 100
Best Grad Program in Nation
- U.S. News & World Report
Top 2
Master of Science in Nursing in Connecticut

- U.S. News and World Report

NLN
Center of Excellence in Nursing Education
Top 5%
Best Nursing Schools
- College Factual

Requirements & Curriculum

Required Courses

Healthcare Leadership Roles for Systems Improvement
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Advanced Healthcare Policy
Research Methods for Evidenced-Based Practice
Advanced Health Assessment
Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology
Advanced Pharmacology
Master's Leadership Practicum
Information Technology for Healthcare Improvement
Three (3) graduate-level electives
Healthcare Leadership Roles for Systems Improvement
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Advanced Healthcare Policy
Research Methods for Evidenced-Based Practice
Advanced Health Assessment
Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology
Advanced Pharmacology
Quality Outcomes Management I
Quality Outcomes Management II
Information Technology for Healthcare Improvement
One (1) graduate-level elective

A detailed list of course requirements, offerings, and more can be viewed in the University’s course catalog.

Egan Admission

Applicants for the Masters in Nursing Leadership Track must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent). A quality point average of 3.0 or higher is preferred. RN applicants who have a non-nursing bachelor's degree will be considered on an individual basis and may be required to complete select prerequisites to be eligible for admission to the MSN program.

More About Master of Science in Nursing Leadership

Career & Professional Opportunities

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Career & Professional Opportunities

As a graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing Leadership, our alumni assume many nursing leadership roles, including:

  • Unit-based Clinical Nurse Leader (many hospitals around the country are developing roles specifically for Nursing Leadership graduates)
  • Manager
  • Case manager
  • Faculty positions in the clinical setting and classroom
  • Charge nurse
  • Quality improvement professional
  • Clinical Educator
  • Team leaders
  • Directors
  • Hospital administrator
  • And more!

Learn about how Fairfield's Career Center can support your post-graduate goals, and how Fairfield's tight-knit alumni network can build career and mentoring opportunities that last a lifetime.

Visit the Career Center

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

Four Students sitting together talking to each other in common srrea 

As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.

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Egan Newsletter

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Egan Newsletter

Learn more about what our faculty, students, and alumni are doing, as well as stay up-to-date on our rankings and accolades, programs, and more.

Read Our Newsletter

Egan Update

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Egan Update

We invite you to view the Egan Update, a year in review of Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies news.

Read the Egan Update (PDF)

Faculty & Staff

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Faculty & Staff

Fairfield University’s Egan School boasts experienced faculty who inspire students to become leaders across social and healthcare environments. These students are actively engaged with faculty in practice, policy, scholarship, and service.

Meet the Faculty & Staff

Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants should have RN and BS degrees. If the bachelor's degree is not in nursing, it may be necessary to take up to three bridge courses.

The program is part-time. Students taking approximately two classes per semester will complete the program in three years or one class per semester will complete the program in four years.

Traditionally classes are one night per week for three hours. Hybrid formats are being introduced to meet the needs of students' schedules. Courses with clinical components will vary.

There are rolling admissions for the program and students start in the fall. It may be possible to take a class in the spring semester as a non-matriculating student until the fall start.

GRE's are not required for the Master of Science in Nursing Leadership. Admissions are based on a combined evaluation of interview, transcripts, essay, and references.

Students can transfer up to 6 core credits if the courses are similar. Evaluation of transfer credits are approved by the associate dean for Graduate Studies.

International students are welcome to apply.

Call or e-mail Dr. Sally Gerard, (203) 254-4000 ext. 2735 for more information.

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