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Accelerated Second Degree Nursing

Degree

Bachelor of Science, Major

School/College

Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies
One student in red scrubs and a professor in front of a simulation mannequin.

Fairfield University’s Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (ASDNU) 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.

Two Locations, One Outstanding Program

Attend A Virtual Information Session

Join us for a virtual information session to learn how this transformative program can jumpstart your nursing career. Explore the curriculum and ask questions—all from the comfort of your home.

Register Today

By the Numbers

Top 3%

Best College for Nursing in the Nation
– Niche’s 2023 Best Colleges

Top 15%

Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs
– U.S. News & World Report

Top 5%

Nursing Program in the Nation
– College Factual

What You'll Learn and Do

Be supported through every step.

Faculty members are experts in their field and work diligently to provide a simulation-focused approach to their teaching. Faculty advisors work closely with students to provide academic advice, individualized attention, and career planning. Small classes are a key component to the program, simulating clinical practice to give students a real-world sense of life in the industry.

Gain guaranteed clinical experience.

The curriculum combines theoretical and clinical components. Each school year, clinical work increases until the majority of time is spent in nursing courses. To ensure that students receive the clinical experience needed, Fairfield has partnerships with many clinical facilities, including hospitals, outpatient departments, rehabilitation and community health centers, public health departments, long-term care facilities, and healthcare clinics.

Develop your academic, professional, and personal skills.

Students will grow personally and professionally and become committed and compassionate nurses, capable of providing professional care to people in any setting.

Earn your degree in 15 months.

Our 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 and pass the NCLEX nursing licensing exam and enter the field of nursing.

Video Poster

Accelerated Second Degree Program

Take a look at some of the state-of-the-art facilities at the nationally-ranked Egan School.

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Course Requirements

Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program (ASDNU)

60 credits

Contact Us

Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Admission
ASDNUadmiss@fairfield.edu
(203) 254-5532

Learn from Industry Experts 

Fairfield University’s Egan School boasts experienced faculty who inspire students to become leaders across social and healthcare environments. These students actively engage with faculty in practice, policy, scholarship, and service.

View All Faculty

Robin Cook
Robin Cook
Director of Second Degree Nursing, Austin | Associate Professor of the Practice, Nursing
Christopher Lacerenza
Christopher Lacerenza
Director of Second Degree Nursing Program (Connecticut), Assistant Professor of the Practice, Nursing

Accreditations

CCNE Accredited

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Fairfield University’s Bachelor of Science degree in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

NLN Center for Excellence in Nursing Education

NLN Accredited

Fairfield Egan's Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Center of Excellence.

SSH - Society for Simulation in Healthcare

SSH Accreditation

Fairfield's undergraduate Nursing program is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

Admissions

All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution and must complete prerequisites prior to starting the program. 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.

Fairfield, CT Admissions

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 Admission staff with any questions you may have at ASDNUadmiss@fairfield.edu. 

Exterior of the Egan School at night.

Austin, TX Admissions

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 Admission staff with any questions you may have at ASDNUadmiss@fairfield.edu.

Exterior of the Austin, TX building.

Clinical Placements

100% of nursing students will obtain their required clinical experience– 546 clinical hours and 112 lab hours plus additional practice time and class simulation– at the following approved clinical sites. The Egan School has a 100% employment rate six months post-graduation.

  • Greenwich Hospital
  • Stamford Hospital
  • Norwalk Hospital
  • Danbury Hospital
  • Bridgeport Hospital
  • Yale New Haven Hospital
  • Milford Hospital
  • Griffin Hospital
  • St. Vincent’s Medical Center
  • Baylor Scott & White Health (Austin, TX)
  • Ascension Seton (Austin, TX)
  • Central Texas Veterans Health Care Systems (Austin, TX)

Considering this program is only 15 months for a four year bachelor’s degree, the faculty did a great job at not only teaching the material in a concise and clear way, but also made themselves available through office hours, video-calling, or staying after class to discuss material/ concepts, skills, or just checking in on how we were doing. I can also confidently say I am not only prepared to go into the nursing field with a great education and experiences behind me, but also with amazing friends who all have different backgrounds that we have been able to share with each other.”

- Kayle Mancusi '20

News & Career Resources

Featured

Image of nursing students in hospital like setting.

Healing and Men(ding): Second Degree Program Outpaces National Trend for Male Nursing Majors

The popular accelerated BSN program designed for non-nursing degree holders enrolled male undergraduate students across two campus locations at one-and-a-half times the national rate in 2024.

Austin graduates Lindsey Hitt '24, Elvira Gashi '24, and Gabby Kearney '24.

Pinning Ceremonies Honor Fairfield's New CT & TX Nursing Graduates

Two female nursing students simulating a midwifery scenario with a simulation doll.

Fairfield Egan Among the Best in the Nation

More Egan News

Resources for Student Success

The University Career Center serves Fairfield University students with comprehensive career support services, programming, and resources.

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Fairfield supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students by providing various resources on campus including the Science Center, Writing Center, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and more.

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Get In Touch

  • 1073 North Benson Road
    Fairfield, CT 06824

  • (203) 254-4000

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