MBA vs. MSN

Nurses Career Support

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I need advice. I have an Associates in Nursing, a Bachelors in Healthcare Management, and am looking at getting my Masters. I love business and don't love nursing, honestly. I like the business side of nursing. I am in a very rural area in Tennessee and due to a family owned business am not willing to relocate. What are your thoughts on MBA vs. MSN in Nursing Administration/Management. I am leaning toward the MBA because I think there are more job opportunities. However, some preach specialization. I am interested in your thoughts on job opportunities, salary, etc. thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

If your goal is to continue to advance & move into healthcare administration, an MSN is the way to go. Since you are starting out as a nurse, your pathway will be via Nursing Jobs... and you will need that MSN to move into management ranks. A lot of graduate programs that have the option of choosing a purely 'functional' (admin, education, quality, etc) rather than 'clinical' (NP, CNM, etc.) MSN. They are usually much more flexible, including online & distance options.

Healthcare finance is a 'different animal', so a generic MBA is not really very valuable unless you already have a good background in healthcare management/administration. There are some dual MSN/MBA programs as well as those that result in an MBA in Healthcare finance that you may want to explore.

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