Nursing Student Population At Fairfield University: How Many?

Fairfield University in Connecticut offers a range of nursing programs through its Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. The school provides a blend of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience, with students gaining hands-on learning opportunities at various healthcare facilities. While an exact figure for the number of nursing students was not found, the university had approximately 5,000 full-time undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students in total in 2023. Additionally, the total graduate nursing enrollment is 233.

Fairfield University's nursing school ranking

Fairfield University's Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies is ranked among the best nursing schools in the United States. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, with a focus on providing a practical and engaging education for its students.

In terms of rankings, the Egan School of Nursing has consistently been placed among the top nursing schools in the country by various organizations. Here is a breakdown of some of its notable rankings:

• U.S. News and World Report ranked Fairfield University's Master's in Nursing program as #58 (tie) out of 169 in the category of Best Nursing Schools: Master's. It also ranked the university #72 (tie) out of 157 in the category of Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice. These rankings considered the school's performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
• Nursing Schools Almanac ranked the Egan School of Nursing in the top 5 nursing schools in the New England region in its 2019 ranking. This ranking evaluated academic prestige, program depth and breadth, and student success. Fairfield University was in good company, alongside Yale University, Boston College, and the University of Connecticut.
• Niche ranked Fairfield University as the Best Colleges for Nursing, placing it in the top 1% of all nursing programs in the United States.
• College Factual's 2019 Best Nursing Colleges report also placed Fairfield University in the top 5% of all nursing programs in the country.

These rankings highlight the quality and recognition of Fairfield University's nursing school. The school's commitment to excellence is evident through its dedicated faculty, practical approach to teaching, and comprehensive curriculum.

Fairfield University's Egan School of Nursing offers a range of resources and support for its nursing students, including financial aid planning, a writing center, career planning services, and more. The school also emphasizes small class sizes and clinical simulations to provide students with a realistic understanding of the nursing profession.

Undergraduate nursing courses

The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies at Fairfield University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program is 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.

The curriculum combines the core curriculum required of all Fairfield undergraduates with natural and social sciences. In the first year, students take courses in chemistry and biology, including anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, as well as developmental psychology and a social and behavioral science elective.

From the sophomore year, students begin instruction in nursing skills, with clinical hours increasing each semester. The school has associations with a range of clinical facilities to ensure students gain a breadth of experience. These include private hospitals, veterans' hospitals, clinics, outpatient departments, rehabilitation centers, public health departments, long-term care facilities, home care agencies, community health centers, and schools.

The nursing courses cover theory and clinical components, with an emphasis on clinical reasoning and prioritising patient care. Courses include:

• Geriatric Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Medical Surgical Nursing I and II
• Maternal and Newborn Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Professional Nursing Leadership
• Population Health
• Transition to Professional Nursing

The program also includes free electives, allowing students to explore topics such as liberal arts, nursing, and minor options.

Graduate nursing courses

Fairfield University's Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies offers a range of graduate nursing courses. The school provides a practical and engaging education for its students, combining the latest health equipment with innovative classroom settings. The graduate nursing enrollment stands at 233.

The school offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with various specialisations, including Nursing Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The MSN in Nursing Leadership program prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare, advocating for change and improving patient outcomes. It offers two tracks: Clinical Systems and Integrated Healthcare. The Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed to manage healthcare needs, promote health, and prevent and manage diseases. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program equips students to assess, diagnose, and provide primary mental healthcare to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Fairfield University also offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with specialisations such as Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, and Nurse Midwifery. The DNP in Family Nurse Practitioner emphasises health promotion and disease management, while the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program focuses on mental healthcare across different age groups and cultural backgrounds. The Nurse Anesthesia program provides hands-on experience in regional and general anesthesia techniques, and the Nurse Midwifery program prepares students for expert midwifery care.

Additionally, the university provides an Accelerated Master's Entry to Practice Nursing program, enabling individuals with non-nursing bachelor's degrees to pursue an MSN in an accelerated format. This program serves as a foundation for leadership roles and passing the NCLEX nursing licensing exam.

Student clubs and organisations

Fairfield University offers over 100 student-led clubs and organisations, including the Student Nurses Association, which is an active group on campus that provides opportunities for nursing students to participate in a professional organisation. The university encourages students to get involved in student government, and the Fairfield University Student Association (FUSA) is the official governing body of the university's 4,000+ full- and part-time undergraduate students. FUSA members can develop their leadership skills while advocating for the student body.

There are also many other clubs and organisations for students to get involved in, including academic-focused, political, recreational, and cultural clubs. These include:

• Marketing Club
• WVOF (student-run radio station)
• Ping Pong Club
• Alzheimer's Foundation of America
• American Red Cross Club
• American Sign Language Club
• National Society of Black Engineers
• Gender and Sexuality Alliance
• Latinx Student Union
• Muslim Student Association (MSA)
• South Asian Student Association (SASA)
• Sigma Theta Tau Mu Chi (The Honor Society of Nursing)
• Men in Nursing Chapter
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Club
• Nursing Students without Borders

Fairfield University also offers students the chance to study abroad in locations such as Brisbane, Australia; Galway, Ireland; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Nursing school history

The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies at Fairfield University has a long and distinguished history of preparing men and women for careers in nursing and health studies. The school was established in 1970 and has since become one of the nation's best nursing schools, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience to its students.

The Egan School's history began with the founding of Fairfield University in 1942 by the Jesuits, who acquired two contiguous estates in Fairfield, Connecticut. The university was chartered by the State of Connecticut in 1945, and in 1947, the College of Arts and Sciences admitted its first class of 303 male students.

In 1970, Fairfield University made a significant step by becoming co-educational, admitting its first undergraduate class of women. This was also the year that the School of Nursing was formed, offering four-year undergraduate programs. The school has since been renamed the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies to honour its longtime supporter.

Over the years, the Egan School has expanded and enhanced its facilities, including the opening of a state-of-the-art simulation centre in 2017. The school offers a strong liberal arts education alongside theory-based knowledge and skills required in the nursing field. Students are provided with clinical and internship experiences at various hospitals, community health agencies, homecare agencies, and schools.

The Egan School is committed to providing a practical and engaging education for its students, utilising the latest health equipment and innovative classroom settings. The faculty members are experts in their field and work closely with students to provide academic advice and career planning. The school's simulation-focused approach to teaching ensures that students gain a real-world sense of life in the nursing industry.

Fairfield University's School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and has consistently produced competent and compassionate nurses who are well-prepared to provide professional care in any setting. The school's strong academic foundation and extensive clinical experiences have contributed to its reputation as one of the top nursing schools in the country.

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