Nursing Administration and Faculty

At Fairfield we consider ourselves a community where excellent nursing care is valued, and kindness is embraced. In the Jesuit tradition, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies strives for cura personalis or education of the whole person. The result of such an education is the development of nursing professionals, who are morally reflective healthcare providers, working to deliver care to patients and families with consistent sensitivity to cultural differences and issues of social justice.

As the Affordable Care Act becomes fully implemented, nursing continues to undergo change. Advances in technology and access to healthcare have afforded society an unprecedented opportunity for extended quality and quantity of life. As nurses, we must work together with other members of the interprofessional team to ensure the highest level of healthcare for our patients and families. Our educational programs are prepared to meet the challenges of the future healthcare system. Our faculty are recognized around the world for their expertise in addressing the broad issues that impact global health. These faculty provide every student with the necessary tools and resources to become successful healthcare providers.

At Fairfield, we pride ourselves on the the excellence of our program and faculty. Our students witness first hand, the dedication our faculty have to each and every student’s personal development. Relationships built with fellow classmate and faculty members at Fairfield will substantially impact your life and career.  Moreover, the effects of an education at Fairfield extend long past graduation.  

At Fairfield we strive to provide students with an educational experience rich in the Jesuit tradition of academic rigor and reflective practice. With a strong core steeped in ethics, communication, spirituality, care of vulnerable populations and service learning, students receive all the education necessary to become excellent nursing professionals. But, our program also provides analysis of global health issues, with a strong focus on issues of social justice and equality to prepare our students as members of society capable of generating change from within.

Our ability to provide this exceptional nursing educational opportunity is accomplished through our strong partnerships with over 50 healthcare agencies, including acute care hospitals, community agencies, clinics and long-term care facilities. Throughout these environments of care, students are provided the instruction to increase knowledge, skills and understanding of the health issues that impact society. Clinical experiences begin early in the program and our individual attention to your education is unwavering throughout the program. Our school also offers a number of study abroad experiences to provide students with expertise and insight to healthcare beyond our national borders. The end result is the graduation of competent and compassionate nursing professionals who will provide care to populations across the world! 

Meredith Wallace Kazer PhD, CNL, APRN, AGPCNP- BC, FAAN
Dean and Professor, School of Nursing

The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice at Fairfield University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036. Phone: 202-887-6791.

Meet the faculty and staff at the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies.

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

• 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
• 1992: Accelerated Nursing Program for second degree students begins
• 1994: Master of Science in Nursing established
• 1994: 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
• 1996: 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
• 2007: United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  VA Nursing Academy Grant Awarded
• 2007: 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
• 2010: 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 recives 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

Mission Statement:

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

Vision Statement

Our vision is to inspire professional leaders who demonstrate excellence across environments of care.  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.

Purpose Statement

To inspire students to become leaders across social and healthcare environments who improve health outcomes for all, inclusive of underserved or vulnerable populations.