Career in administration vs management

Seriously, I am not a fan of nurses who don't like nursing making careers out of nursing management or administration.

I do understand where Tewdles is coming from. I think the best managers are the ones who worked in the 'trenches' on their way up. They have worked all sides of the fence before climbing the ladder and as a result they have more understanding, knowledge, and compassion for the staff that they are in charge of.

Having said that, I don't really have any idea what these advanced degrees will do for you. I do know that the job cuts that I've seen in my area are just those type of administrative/management jobs, especially in the hospitals. The problem is that these nurses were used to the higher salaries they got and expected the same at entry level positions in jobs that they were applying for but for which they had no experience. I interviewed quite a few of the after major layoffs at 2 hospitals in my area. I had 2 good Case Manager positions open at my agency, (where there is ample opportunity to advance) but they weren't willing to start at the bottom and move their way up. They wanted my job and the District Manager's job but had no home care experience.

Maybe someone on this forum that has this degree can help you. Just throwing in my 2 cents.

Kyasi

I have come up through the trenches, laundry/hskpg in a nursing home and CNA, LPN, RN on oncology in acute care, manager on med/surg, LPN instructor and a DON in a nursing home. I am back as a nurse manager in acute care in a small hospital and I love it. I love nursing and experience is whats makes you a better manager. I am not saying that you can't be a good manager, I just feel experience is key. I have a BSN and a BS in Liberal Arts and a teaching certificate and a med/surg certification. I have also thought about a masters but for me a MBA wouldn't do anything for me. I am not a business person in that sense. I would rather a MSN/education if anything. But what a cost. It really depends on what you want to do and will that degree get you to that point. I don't have many years left until retirement so I am still weighing the options. Good luck, I hope this has helped

http://allnurses.com/nursing-managem...ba-221138.html

There is a discussion on MSN vs MBA going on at this link. You have your BSN but maybe some of the discussion about the MBA will be helpful to you.

Kyasi

I don't get why so many here are offended by the OP's career choice? It's her life, and before all of you object a person can actually supervise something, and do it well, without ever having done the job him/herself. There's also a lot more to manage in healthcare than just nurses. Why spend your time being a nurse when there are numerous other departments and services under a hospital administration's umbrella, for example.

I don't see how anyone can mange a group of workers if they have not done and mastered the work themselves at one point???

My observation over 3 decades is that in nursing administration that combination is often disastrous.