MHA and RN program vs MPH with RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am looking at applying for nursing as well as MHA (masters of health administration) program. What I have found in my nursing application search is that many nurses end up returning to school to get an MPH (masters of public health) versus the MHA. The amazing thing I have also found out is the MHA is considered a professional degree by the federal loan services and in the military, while the MPH is not. ("Health professions students may borrow an aggregate amount of $224,000. Health professions students are defined as: "

B/C the MHA is a considered a professional degree they are allowed to take out more loans, like doctors, dentists, naturopath. doctors, etc... n e l n e t - financial aid

I would like to hear from the nurses out there. Why did you choose a MPH or MHA program? Did it make a difference in your career? How did it help?

Thanks for your reply!

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I chose MPH because I work in public health and that's where I want to keep my career, so it made sense to me. I'm still in my program now. If you read a little closer on the webpage you linked to, MPH programs also count in the health professionals category as long as the program is accredited by CEPH. You can find a list of those here: Accredited Schools & Programs | Council on Education for Public Health

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Specializes in school nurse.

Sort of seems like apples and oranges, with the differences in job emphasis between the two. Do you prefer public health or management?

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that's what i'm trying to figure out. i'm currently only have an "outsider's view," so to speak (i'm only dipping my toes in the outskirts of the pond). i've tried to get into the field many times, but sad to say, here it's "you have to have an mph or mha before we hire you," or the unspoken "your parent's or grandparent's were the 'big dogs' in the field (so you get hired on without the "required" degree)."

anywhooo, i'm not going to let that stop me! my goals is to pursue the RN. i finished the last of my pre-reqs this semester, and i am thinking of how i can align the 2 fields in a smarter, more efficient path. I want to create opportunities for many possibilities. Does it open your prospects if you have the MPH or the MHA?

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@SiwanRN Thinking about it, I guess I'm lucky in the sense of being in the same city as a Trauma 1 hospital that's also the medical teaching facility for the state as well as the college of public health facility for the state. I knew they would be on that list and didn't look until now. Bam! it's right there. thanks for the link!

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

MHA is likely more lucrative if you are looking to accelerate into leadership positions at healthcare organizations. On the other hand, of founding or running non profits and grass roots programs is your thing then the MPH is a match.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
I chose MPH because I work in public health and that's where I want to keep my career, so it made sense to me. I'm still in my program now. If you read a little closer on the webpage you linked to, MPH programs also count in the health professionals category as long as the program is accredited by CEPH. You can find a list of those here: Accredited Schools & Programs | Council on Education for Public Health

This is true, my program was considered a professional program for FA purposes.

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