President Nemec shared that as a 21st century, modern Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield “seeks to be a model for others...to find broader student populations in ever more innovative ways” and “to seek those populations where the need is great and the population is growing.”
Inspired by a mission to carry forward the work of the Society of Jesus, Fairfield was animated “to come to a region where there is not a Jesuit Catholic work of higher education,” explained President Nemec. “Fairfield is bringing to this community a first-class clinical education. One that brings health professionals to the highest standards of inquiry and knowledge — but it also brings with it a Jesuit way of proceeding.”
“As a mission-driven University, we knew the world needed nurses, we knew the world needed Fairfield nurses and we could impact healthcare beyond our Northeast regional influence,” said Dean Kazer, referring to the University’s decision to lead its geographic expansion efforts with nursing. She expressed gratitude for the collaboration among clinical partners, the board of nursing, real estate professionals, architects, builders, program directors, faculty, staff, and students. “Because of you, Texas is our new home.”
Charisse Bodisch of the Austin Chamber of Commerce welcomed Fairfield to the city and highlighted the critical need for nurses in the Austin metro region. “What you are doing with the Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies is very important to our entire region, our residents, and our companies... We need more entering these fields and the work and education you do here will have meaningful impact.”
Bodisch shared that in the Austin metro region there are currently 82,300 total workers in healthcare occupations, and 51,300 are employed as healthcare practitioners or in technical healthcare occupations. Another 31,000 are in healthcare support occupations. “We anticipate the annual growth in healthcare will continue. Projections over the next 5 years are 2.8 percent healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, and 3.3 percent healthcare support occupations—faster than the 2.5 percent growth in jobs overall.”
A warm welcome by Dr. Brockman-Weber was extended on behalf of Ascension Seton, one of Fairfield Egan’s clinical partners. “We look forward to working with the faculty and staff to provide excellent clinical experiences in our world-class hospitals and clinics as we grow the next generation of nurses to care for the people of Austin and surrounding cities.”
The nursing curriculum at the Austin, Texas-based facility builds on the University's successful Fairfield, Conn. baccalaureate offerings. The first cohort of students was admitted in May 2023, with a second cohort to begin in January 2024.
In addition to Ascension Seton, Fairfield Egan’s clinical partnerships include Baylor Scott & White Health, and Central Texas Veterans Health Care Systems.
At the completion of this program, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to become registered nurses. The SDNU program has been in existence at Fairfield Egan for more than two decades and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Among many national distinctions, U.S. ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ & World Report recently ranked Fairfield’s Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies among the best undergraduate nursing programs. The Egan School was ranked in the top 11 percent nationally at #76 (tied) out of almost 700 schools. It was also ranked among U.S. ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ & World Report's 2023-24 best graduate schools among the best nursing schools that offer master's degrees (tied at #73) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees (tied at #74). According to Niche’s 2023 Best Colleges for Nursing in America, the Egan School was ranked #29 out of 762, in the Top 5 percent.
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