Accelerated Second Degree Nursing

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Complete your BSN in just over a year in one of two locations

Are you thinking you would make a great nurse, but your undergraduate degree is not in nursing? Fairfield University’s Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (BSN) program provides a unique opportunity for those with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in an accelerated format.

Our campus-based, full-time accelerated programs are designed to draw upon your prior education and experience, allowing you to earn a second bachelor’s degree in 15 months. Previous knowledge serves as a foundation for nursing courses as you develop the social awareness, critical thinking skills, aesthetic sensibility and values that prepare you to sit for the NCLEX licensing exam.

Fairfield’s Accelerated Second Degree Nursing program will teach you how to be a great nurse—and a great leader.

Virtual Information Session
April 5, 2023 | 5-6 p.m.

Learn more about Fairfield Egan's prestigious 15-month Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program (ASDNU) from our dean, program directors, and admission staff. See how a nursing degree can open up exciting career opportunities in the healthcare field. Program curriculum, clinical placements, careers and admission requirements will all be discussed in the 30-minute virtual presentation followed by a Q&A session to answer all your questions. Now taking applications for next year’s May 2024 ASDNU program.

ASDNU & MEPN Virtual Information Session: October 2022

Now Open! Accelerated Second Degree Nursing – Austin, Texas

Located on our new campus in Austin, Texas, Fairfield University will be offering two annual 15-month cohort campus-based, full-time, accelerated programs starting in January and May 2024.

Fairfield, CT Campus: Applications for the ASDNU cohort starting on May 20, 2024 are being accepted now through December 15, 2023.

Next Live Austin ASDNU Virtual Information Session
April 12, 2023 | 6 p.m. Central Time

From the comfort of your own home, join our dean and program director from the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies and learn more about our new ASDNU program in Austin, Texas with two annual 15-month accelerated nursing cohorts. Curriculum and admission requirements will be presented along with a Q&A session for webinar participants.

Austin, TX Campus: 

  • Applications for the ASDNU cohort starting on May 25, 2023 are being accepted now through February 1, 2023.
  • Applications for the ASDNU cohort starting on January 16, 2024 will be accepted now through October 1, 2023.

Egan School Rankings

Top 5%
Best College for Nursing in the Nation

– Niche's 2022 Best Colleges

Top 11%
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

Industry at a Glance

12%

Job Growth for 2018-28 - Bureau of Labor Statistics

$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

Selected prerequisite requirements may be met through challenge exams or transfer of credit from approved academic institutions. For all admitted second-degree nursing students still taking prerequisite coursework, please have your course instructor complete and submit the Mid-Term Grade Report (PDF) showing mid-term grades.

Required Courses

Coursework

ASDNU students are required to complete a total of 60 credits consisting of the following coursework.

Summer Session I (18 credits)
Introduction to Professional Nursing
Healthcare Delivery Systems
Health Assessment
Geriatric Nursing
Fundamentals of Nursing Care
Fall Semester (15 credits)
Health and Wellness
Basic Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
Mental Health Nursing
Medical Surgical Nursing I
Spring Semester (15 credits)
Foundations of Research for Evidence Based Practice
Pediatric Nursing
Medical Surgical Nursing II
Professional Nursing Leadership
Summer Semester II (12 credits)
Community, Public and Global Health Nursing
Transition to Professional Nursing
Maternal and Newborn Nursing

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

Admission

Fairfield, Connecticut Admission

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Fairfield, Connecticut 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 70,000 square feet building features a state-of-the-art simulation center, advanced learning environments and equipment, including enhanced clinical settings and workspaces like the anesthesia simulation room, a control room and modern labs. The school is also home to the Kanarek Center for Palliative Care Nursing Education.

Nursing graduates from Fairfield’s prestigious Egan School are highly sought after for employment due to the quality, training, and reputation of our educational program. The Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program (ASDNU) is a full-time cohort program that allows students with a bachelor’s degree to obtain an additional bachelor’s degree in nursing and take advantage of the many exciting and diverse career opportunities available in the healthcare field.

Each annual cohort starts at the end of May (with between 50-60 students) and concludes 15-months later at graduation in August. The admission application process is completely online. Please contact the part-time Admission staff with any questions you may have at ptadmiss@fairfield.edu.

In order to apply, candidates must complete and submit an online application at www.fairfield.edu/sdnuapp, which requirements include:
  • Interview with the program director
  • Professional resume
  • Personal statement
  • Two recommendations, one of which must be from a current supervisor or professor
  • Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended sent directly from the school to ptadmiss@fairfield.edu or mailed to Fairfield University to the attention of the Part-Time and Continuing Studies Admission. Applicants with international transcripts must submit a transcript evaluation by an approved evaluating service like WES.
  • International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency by taking either TOEFL or IELTS exams.

Required Interview
All applicants must interview (via phone or in-person) with the adult program director, Karen Burrows, any time before or during the submission of their application. She will review students’ past transcripts to determine if any prerequisite courses need to be taken. To schedule an interview, contact Professor Burrows at kburrows1@fairfield.edu or call 203-254-4000, ext. 2092.

Applications are being accepted now through December 15, 2022.

Admission & Deadlines

Austin, Texas Admission

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Austin, Texas Admission

At its new location in the bustling city of Austin, Texas, the new 23,040 square-foot building located at 7951 Shoal Creek Boulevard feature future-ready classrooms and several brand new simulation labs including a simulated intensive care unit and a surgical suite.

Nursing graduates from Fairfield’s nationally ranked Egan School are highly sought after for employment due to the quality, training, and reputation of our educational program. The Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program (ASDNU) is a full-time cohort program that allows students with a bachelor’s degree to obtain an additional bachelor’s degree in nursing and take advantage of the many exciting and diverse career opportunities available in the healthcare field.

At Fairfield’s Austin, Texas campus, there will be two cohorts each year. One will start in May and the other will begin in January and both will conclude 15-months later. The admission application process is completely online. Please contact the part-time Admission staff with any questions you may have at ptadmiss@fairfield.edu.

In order to apply, candidates must complete and submit an online application at www.fairfield.edu/sdnuapp. Requirements include:

  • Interview with the program director
  • Professional resume
  • Personal statement
  • Two recommendations, one of which must be from a current supervisor or professor
  • Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended, sent directly from the school to ptadmiss@fairfield.edu or mailed to Fairfield University to the attention of the Part-Time and Continuing Studies Admission. Applicants with international transcripts must submit a transcript evaluation by an approved evaluating service like WES.
  • International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency by taking either TOEFL or IELTS exams.

Required Interview
All applicants must interview (via phone or in-person) with the adult program director, Dr. Lucina Kimpel, any time before or during the submission of an application. Dr. Kimpel will review students’ past transcripts to determine if any prerequisite courses need to be taken. To schedule an interview, contact Dr. Kimpel at lkimpel@fairfield.edu.

First Cohort Applications are being accepted now through February 1, 2023, for the next Accelerated Second Degree cohort, beginning in May 2023.

Second Cohort Applications are being accepted now through October 1, 2023, for the January 2024 cohort.

The Austin, Texas second degree program is pending Texas Board of Nursing and NECHE approval.

Admission & Deadlines

ASDNU applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution.

Required for a liberal arts degree at Fairfield University, before starting the program, all ASDNU students must have completed four courses or 12 credits, in any combination, in these subject areas with a grade C or better:

  • English
  • ethics
  • philosophy
  • religion
  • history
  • languages
  • visual & performing arts

36 credits (12 three-credit courses)

Within the last ten years, all ASDNU students must have completed, with a grade B or better, the following courses:

  • human anatomy & physiology I and II (with labs)
  • microbiology (with lab)
  • chemistry (with lab)
  • developmental psychology
  • statistics

Any courses not completed during the applicant’s previous undergraduate program may be taken at Fairfield University or any other accredited university. A final official transcript must be submitted showing final course grades before starting the ASDNU program.

More About Accelerated Second Degree 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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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