Mission & Purpose

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Vision & Mission

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.

History & Overview

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.

Year Event
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.

Accelerated Nursing Program for second degree students begins.
1994 Master of Science in Nursing established.

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.

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.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs VA Nursing Academy Grant Awarded.

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.

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 receives 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.

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