Traditional Undergraduate Nursing

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Program Overview

Fairfield University's Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies offers undergraduate students a strong liberal arts education along with the theory-based knowledge and skills to work in the expanding fields of nursing and healthcare. Students grow personally and professionally and become committed and compassionate nurses, capable of providing professional care to people in any setting.

Faculty members are experts in the field, and work diligently to provide a simulation-focused approach to their teaching. Faculty advisors work closely with students to provide academic advice, individualized attention, and career planning. Small classes are a key component to the program, simulating clinical practice to give students a real-world sense of life in the industry.

The curriculum combines theoretical and clinical components. Each school year clinical work increases, until the majority of time is spent in nursing courses. To ensure that students receive the clinical experience needed, Fairfield has partnerships with many clinical facilities, including hospitals, outpatient department, rehabilitation and community health centers, public health departments, long-term care facilities, health care clinics and the Fairfield University Health Promotion Center.

Upon graduation, students are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered nurse. The School of Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing.

*Fairfield University students, who are currently enrolled in any major, have the option to change their major to nursing. The Egan School has created a unique opportunity for full-time, undergraduate students who have successfully completed Fairfield University core requirements to transfer into the Egan School. Nursing classes will begin in the summer between Junior and Senior Year. Students will join the accelerated nursing program students, maintaining their full-time undergraduate status, and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in August following their senior year.

Contact Us

Janice Holmes headshot

Janice Holmes

Instructor of the Practice & Undergraduate Nursing Program Director

x4150

Office of Undergraduate Admission

P: (203) 254-4100
F: (203) 254-4199
admis@fairfield.edu

Egan School Rankings

Top 3%
Best College for Nursing in the Nation

– Niche's 2023 Best Colleges

Top 15%
Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs
- U.S. News & World Report
#2
Nursing Program in Connecticut

– College Factual

Top 5%
Nursing Program in the Nation

– College Factual

Program Requirements

The Magis Core Four-Year Program

Begins with the class of 2023.

Fall Semester
*Biology 1107 + Lab
** Biology 1107 is required for all first year students. Chemistry 1184 is required — half the class will take in the fall, the other half will take in the spring.
*Chemistry 1184 + Lab
Math
Math is based on placement. Math is either Calculus or Statistics (both are required for nursing majors).
English 1001
Language
History 1100 level
OR
Religious Studies 1100 level
OR
Philosophy 1101 level
Spring Semester
*Nursing 1110 or Nursing 1112
** Nursing1110/1112 is required for all nursing majors. Students will be taking either of these introductory courses in the spring. They will take the other in fall of sophomore year.
Literature or Visual Performing Arts
*Chemistry 1184 + Lab
Math
Math is based on placement. Math is either Calculus or Statistics (both are required for nursing majors).
*Biology 1108 + Lab
** Biology 1108 is required for all first year students. Chemistry 1184 is required — half the class will take in the fall, the other half will take in the spring.
History 1100 level
OR
Religious Studies 1100 level
OR
Philosophy 1101 level
Fall Semester
Nursing 1112 or Nursing 1110
Nursing 2303
Psychology 1110 or Biology 1151 + Lab
History 1100 level
OR
Religious Studies 11000 level
OR
Philosophy 1101 level
Math 1017 or 2217
Math is based on placement. Math is either Calculus or Statistics (both are required for nursing majors).
Literature or Visual Performing Arts
Spring Semester
Nursing 2270
Nursing 2272 or Nursing 3305
Biology 1151 + Lab or Psychology 1110
History 2200 or 3300 level
OR
Religious Studies 22000 level
OR
Philosophy 2200 level
Math 1017 or 2217
Math is based on placement. Math is either Calculus or Statistics (both are required for nursing majors).

Note: Choose from two different disciplines History 2200 or 3300 level or Philosophy 2200 level or Religious Studies 2200 level.

Fall Semester
Nursing 3301
Nursing 3305 or Nursing 2272
Nursing 3307 + Lab
History 2200 or 3300 level
OR
Religious Studies 22000 level
OR
Philosophy 2200 level
Behavioral & Social Science
Spring Semester
Nursing 3310
Nursing 3312
Nursing 3314 or Nursing 4323
Applied Ethics (AETH) Elective

Note: Choose from two different disciplines History 2200 or 3300 level or Philosophy 2200 level or Religious Studies 2200 level.

Fall Semester
Nursing 4323 or Nursing 3314
Nursing 4325
Nursing 4330
OR
Free Elective
Free Elective
Spring Semester
Nursing 4321
Nursing 4330
OR
Free Elective
Nursing 4332
Free Elective
Free Elective
Signature Elements in Orientation, Exploration, and Major Courses
One (1) Course Interdisciplinary Element
Three (3) Courses Writing Intensive Element
Three (3) Courses Social Justice Element
Overall Total 130 Credits
38 Courses (3 – 4 credits)
Note: Last 30 credits must be from Fairfield University

Clinical Partners

Students obtain their clinical experience at the following approved clinical sites. They will be required to complete 546 clinical hours and 112 lab hours plus additional practice time and class simulation.

Greenwich Hospital

Stamford Hospital

Norwalk Hospital

Danbury Hospital

Bridgeport Hospital

Yale New Haven Hospital

Milford Hospital

Griffin Hospital

St. Vincent's Medical Center

Connecticut Children’s

Greater Bridgeport Mental Health

West Haven Veteran Affairs

Waterbury Hospital

St. Mary's Hospital

Nathaniel Witherell

Mozaic Senior Life

Lord Chamberlain

Hartford Hospital

St. Joseph’s

Silver Hill Hospital

Fairfield Undergraduate Transfer Students

Fairfield University students who are currently enrolled in any major now have the option to change their major to nursing. The Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies has created a unique opportunity for full-time, undergraduate students who have successfully completed Fairfield University core requirements to transfer into the Egan School. Nursing classes will begin in the summer between junior and senior Year. Students will join the accelerated nursing program students, maintaining their full-time undergraduate status, and graduate with a bachelor of science in nursing in August following their senior year.

Begins with the class of 2023. Program starts end of May/Beginning of June.

Full-Time Internal Transfer Student to Nursing Program

Philosophy 1101
Philosophy Elective 2200 level
English 1001
English Literature
ENGL elective must be English Literature (not writing).
Modern/Classical Language
Visual Performing Arts < 2200 Level
Math < 3300 Level (no 1100 level)
Religious Studies 1100 Level
Religious Studies Elective 2200 Level
History 1110
OR
Classical Studies (CLST) 1115/1116 (First Level)
History Elective 2200 or 3300 Level
Students may choose from two different disciplines:
History 2200 or 3300 Level, or Philosophy or Religious Studies at 2200 Level
Applied Ethics (AETH) Elective
Behavioral & Social Science
Behavioral & Social Sciences include Sociology, Psychology, Politics, Anthropology (except ANTH 1200 and 1210), Economics and Communications
Free Elective
Free Elective
Free Elective
Total Credits 48
Biology 1107 + LAB
Biology 1108 + LAB
Biology 1151 + LAB
Math 1017 or Higher
Chemistry 1184 + LAB
Psychology 1110
Total Credits 22
Credits
NURS 1110 Introduction to Professional Nursing 3
NURS 1112 Healthcare Delivery Systems 3
NURS 2270 Health Assessment 4
NURS 2272 Geriatric Nursing 4
NURS 3307 Fundamentals of Nursing Care 3
(ATI)
Total 17
Fall Semester - 2 Day Class/2 Clinical
Credits
NURS 3301 Health & Wellness 3
NURS 2303 Basic Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 3
NURS 3305 Mental Health Nursing 4
NURS 3312 Medical Surgical Nursing I 5
(ATI)
Total 15
Holiday Recess December 24 – January 2
Spring Semester - 2 Day Class/2 Clinical
Credits
NURS 3310 Foundations of Research for Evidence Based Practice 3
NURS 4323 Pediatric Nursing 4
NURS 4321 Professional Nursing Leadership 3
NURS 4325 Medical Surgical Nursing II 5
(ATI)
Total 15
Credits
NURS 3314 Maternal and Newborn Nursing 4
NURS 4330 Population Health 4
NURS 4332 Transition to Professional Nursing 4
Total 12
Signature Elements in Orientation, Exploration, and Major Courses
One (1) Course Interdisciplinary Element
Three (3) Courses Writing Intensive Element
Three (3) Courses Social Justice Element
Overall Total 130 Credits
38 Courses (3 – 4 credits)
Note: Last 30 credits must be from Fairfield University
Can walk at May Graduation
Officially graduate in August (August 30)

Study Abroad

From international and domestic internships to clinical and research opportunities in over 50 study abroad programs, Global Fairfield offers a breadth of unique and customizable experiences designed to globalize your education and hone your professional competencies. So you’re never simply taking classes abroad, you’re getting a one-of-a-kind, international experience that will help you thrive in today’s global landscape.

Undergraduate Admission

With a long history of preparing men and women for careers in the expanding fields of medicine and health studies and ranked as one of the nation’s best nursing schools, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies is dedicated to delivering an excellent, comprehensive education to our students. Applications for the nursing program are evaluated by the Office of Admission.

More About Traditional Undergraduate Nursing

Life After Fairfield

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Life After Fairfield

Nurses diagnose human responses to actual and potential health problems, identify individual strengths and nursing care needs, and plan and deliver culturally competent care that promotes, maintains, or restores health. The role of the nurse is conceptualized as helping clients across the life span to maximize their optimum potential.

Nursing practice integrates scientific problem-solving with holistic caring. Based on research and theoretical knowledge, the nursing process is used as a problem-solving approach to analyze information and prioritize patient care needs for individuals and groups.

Characteristics of professional nursing practice include:

  • Critical thinking
  • Decision-making
  • Accountability

Behaviors integral to professional nursing's role are:

  • Advocacy
  • Political activism
  • Effective communication
  • Collegiality
  • Commitment to lifelong learning
  • Scholarship

Nurses function as integral members of multidisciplinary teams, engage in interdependent roles, and collaborate with other healthcare providers, clients, and family members. Leadership and management skills are essential to shape the future of healthcare and help others attain goals and facilitate change.

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

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