DNP or DBA or MHA? Can the DBA allow you to move up in Healthcare field & possibly others?

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I am debating on which degree to pursue next. I am leaning heavily towards the doctrate of business administration degree. I feel that it surpasses the educational requirements necessary to apply for, and earn an executive position in a hospital, rehabilitation center, insurance company, and countless other medical entities. This doctrate also allows the person who earned it the ability to venture out of the Healthcare field entirely, if they ever wanted to.

I have heard that MBA educated individuals are a dime a dozen, and that companies are leaning towards hiring DBA educated individuals. If I choose to pursue a MHA, I'm kind of stuck in the medical field. If I chose the DNP, I am in the same boat.

Any thoughts, advice, or experience with a decision like this?

Highly appreciated!

ARNP-USMC

B.

ARNP-USMC

4 Posts

By the way I have my MSN, FNP-BC and I have great leadership skills, as I spent four years of my life in the United States Marine Corps, Special Operations Command as a Sergeant. I am also looking into pursuing a post masters certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, this way I can work with my fellow vets at the VA.

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmmm...never heard of the DBA except as an acronym for "doing business as". Anyway, enough of my ignorance.

I personally think an MSN/MBA is enough at least in my area. I do agree that as APRNs (everyone uses a different acronym for this too of course), we need to know more about the business side of practice. IMHO this is the only way our profession will get ahead.

Its all nice and cute to be "nursey" but when looking at a compensation package, you need to know how much $$$ you bring to the practice/facility and then push for what you are worth.

ARNP-USMC

4 Posts

Nurses really need to start digging into the areas of the hospital that are very important to high level execs... ie: the cardiac Cath lab, specials, IRCU....Ifor we were able to bill for our services, there would be a lot less trees on this planet!! We need to identify how important we are and eloquently make it known.

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree - we need more business education...

BJPMH

21 Posts

Specializes in Nursing student.
On 2/24/2017 at 1:37 AM, ARNP-USMC said:

By the way I have my MSN, FNP-BC and I have great leadership skills, as I spent four years of my life in the United States Marine Corps, Special Operations Command as a Sergeant. I am also looking into pursuing a post masters certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, this way I can work with my fellow vets at the VA.

Very motivating! I just finished my four last year in the Corps and will be graduating in December with a MSN and hope to start PMHNP program next Summer! I also want to work at the VA with vets! Wow this is so cool to know that someone has a similar goal as me! 

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