RN to MBA? Anyone else out there?

[cp2012]

Hello! Let me just start out by saying that nursing school kicked my butt. It was never my cup of tea and by the time I realized it I was too far in to quit. I found that some areas of nursing were more enjoyable than others (i.e. Women's Health, L&D, etc), but I always felt like I was behind, not good enough, or simply not interested...While most of my other friends literally seemed "called" to nursing. Anyhow, I went to a very rigorous school and passed the NCLEX the first time. My plan was to graduate, start working in an area that I could tolerate, and then start my MBA. I've always been extremely business oriented so my intentions were to use both my BSN and MBA to find a job in healthcare management.

Quickly after the NCLEX I found out that I was pregnant...So my whole world has kinda changed. I turned down a full-time medsurg position because it was nights and found a job in occupational health nursing where I get paid several dollars more an hour than I would working in a hospital as a new grad. My job is extremely boring and uneventful...I usually sit here and watch tv and post things online (like I'm doing now). I'm learning nothing, but making almost $30 an hr to sit...which I guess is good for now with me being pregnant. Anyways, I'm so bored at work that I really need to start my masters. Does anyone have any experience in getting their MBA after they got their BSN?? I do think getting some hospital experience (just so I can say I tried) would be good for me at some point...However, I've always been seen as the type of person that would be working in an office with other corporate employees. Have any of you had success in this transition from bedside to office?

Finally, I've started second guessing my choice of getting the MBA since I found out I was having a baby...Nursing schedules are extremely desirable (when you can land 12 hr shifts on days). Going from bedside to office would definitely send me straight to M-F, which might not be something I want to do until later on. Maybe I should stay in nursing and go the NP route? Not sure...All I know is that I want to start my masters NOW and I want to make good money sooner rather than later....I know this is a lot of random thoughts, but does anyone have any insight?

[malenurse69, MSN, NP]

Have you looked into nursing graduate degrees? You could do MBA, but just remember, grass is always greener on the other side.

Edit:

I re-read what you wrote, yes you should persue the NP route, I think that would be a lot more beneficial then doing a MBA degree, with you wanting money sooner then later.

[schnookimz]

I would do an MBA in healthcare administration.

[Dranger]

MBAs are a dime a dozen. Literally half my non-nursing friends ran out and grabbed one after they graduated. Really think about it before you waste money.

MHAs are super common as well and with a large amount be all online they have saturated the market. I think getting experience in a hospital first or going NP would be your best bet

[advsmuch08]

I had been thinking of getting an MBA. To test out the extent of my interest I took online businesses courses from a community collage on a part time basis. Ended up getting another associates degree. For now I'm holding off on going the MBA route but may pick it up in the future.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

I can't tell you what direction to take your career (business vs. APN), but I'd do a MBA before a MHA. MBA can be useful in any discipline, but there are hundreds of unemployed and underemployed MHAs out there. If you decide to pursue an MBA I'd take care to go to a highly reputable school. I've been told the school where one gets an MBA is critical. It doesn't quite have to be Wharton, but I've been told Phoenix is going to be essentially worthless. Research your market before leaping in. Further, networking in the business world is extremely important, and one wonders how many platinum connections are made at lessor schools. Food for thought.

[Yuppers21]

I have considered the MBA/MHA route as well. In fact, a school in my area has a specific program to double major in both. I have been looking into positions within my organization that require these degrees and have found that the ones that are nursing related also wanted 5+ years in a particular nursing specialty. It was not a quick way into better money, but at least is was possible to work while going through school part time.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

If you intend to pursue a admin/management job in nursing, you will need an MSN. This is "our" advanced degree; also required by health care accreditation agencies. NP is a clinical degree - unlikely to provide sufficient 'business', administrative education to qualify you for health care management positions. Of course, all graduate options will hinge on the OP's qualifications.