12%
Job Growth for 2018-28 - Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Complete Your MSN in 2 Years
Want to pursue a career in nursing, but don’t want to go back to school for another bachelors degree? Fairfield University’s Accelerated Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing (MEPN) program provides a unique opportunity for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in an accelerated format. The MEPN is the first such program in the state of Connecticut to prepare advanced generalists for registered nursing practice and leadership.
The program is designed to draw upon your prior education and experience, allowing you to earn a master’s degree in two years. The MEPN program will equip students with valuable knowledge and skills to lead change, promote health, and elevate care in a variety of settings. At the completion of this program, students will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.
The next MEPN cohort begins each May.
Sneak Peek | Fairfield University School of Nursing and Health Studies
Contact Us
Erica Wuchiski
Visiting Instructor and Director of MEPN
Office of Graduate Admission
P: (203) 254-4184
F: (203) 254-4199
gradadmis@fairfield.edu
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
SSH
Society for Simulation in Healthcare Accredited
Industry at a Glance
$71,730/year
Median Salary - Bureau of Labor Statistics
55%
CT Nurses Hold a Baccalaureate Degree or Higher - The Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce
Requirements & Curriculum
The MEPN program is a 76 credit/800 clinical hour program to be completed full-time over 24 months.
Required Courses
| Prerequisite Courses |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab |
| General Chemistry for Health Science and General Chemistry for Health Science Lab |
| Developmental Psychology |
| Elements of Microbiology & Elements of Microbiology Lab |
| Statistics |
| English |
| Philosophy |
| Ethics |
| Religious Studies |
| Introduction to Professional Nursing |
| Fundamentals of Nursing Care & Lab |
| Advanced Health Assessment & Advanced Lab |
| Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology |
| Nursing Leadership Roles for Systems Improvement & Advanced Clinical |
| Mental Health Nursing & Clinical |
| Medical Surgical Nursing I & Clinical |
| Medical Surgical Nursing II & Clinical |
| Advanced Pharmacology |
| Pediatric Nursing & Clinical |
| Research Methods for EBP |
| Geriatric Nursing & Clinical |
| Maternal & Newborn Nursing |
| Population Health |
| Epidemiology and Biostatistics |
| Palliative Care Across the Lifespan Graduate Course |
| Advanced Healthcare Policy |
| Information Technology for Healthcare Improvement |
| Transition to Professional Nursing Practice & Clinical |
| Masters Leadership Practicum & Advanced Clinical |
| Critical Care |
Egan Admission
Admission to the program will be competitively offered to students who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four–year college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.3 or better. Applicants must have completed the required pre-requisite courses prior to admission.
In April 2021, the Egan School held a virtual information session for prospective students interested in applying to the next MEPN cohort. Potential applicants are encouraged to watch the recording below and contact program director Erica Wuchiski with any additional questions.
ASDNU & MEPN Info Session || The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies
More About Accelerated Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing
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Egan Newsletter
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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence
As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.
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.
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.
Program Comparison (ASDNU vs. MEPN)
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Program Comparison (ASDNU vs. MEPN)
| ASDNU | MEPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Full Time Accelerated -Hybrid (online and on-campus) | Full Time Accelerated -Hybrid (online and on-campus) |
| Length of Program | 15 Months | 24 Months |
| Number of Credits | 60 | 76 |
| Prerequisites - Humanities | Two English courses, One Philosophy course, One Ethics course, One religion course | Two English courses, One Philosophy course, One Ethics course, One religion course |
| Prerequisites - Sciences | Human Anatomy&Physiology I with lab, Human Anatomy&Physiology II with lab, Microbiology with lab, Chemistry with lab, Developmental Psychology, and Statistics | Human Anatomy&Physiology I with lab, Human Anatomy&Physiology II with lab, Microbiology with lab, Chemistry with lab, Developmental Psychology, and Statistics |
| GPA minimum from Bachelor's Degree | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| Degree awarded at completion | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Master of Science in Nursing |
| Career Paths | Hospital Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Home Care Nurse, Travel Nurse, Hospice nurse, Physician's Office nurse, Mental Health Nurse, School Nurse, Nurse Case Manager and more… | After 2 years of clinical experience: Executive Management (hospital directors, unit managers), Nursing Research, Data analysis and Quality Improvement, Nurse Educator, Legal Nurse Consultant, Academia, Public Policy/Government and more… |