MSN or MBA/MM

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

As an RN in transition due to a corporate restructuring, I figure this is the time to finallly complete my masters.

It's now or never!

Ironically, I've been wanting to go back for several years. I had the tuition reimbursement available, but no time due to job demands.

Now, I have the time, but no reimbursement.

I have a certificate in Healthcare management. Courses that will apply to either a Masters in Management (similar to an MBA) or to an MSN with a Leadership & Management track.

Although I like the clinical side of what I do (did), I'm considering what will give me the most carreer breadth & the biggest bang for my buck. I feel I really had outgrown my job and could do more.

While having an MM will open the door for other positions healthcare outside nursing, I'm also concerned that some doors may close if it's a management job specifically asking for a MSN.

Feedback, anyone?

[nicolentony]

MrChicagoRN:

I completely understand your situation. I am currently in nursing management and trying to decide between a MSN with leadership and management vs. MBA vs. MHA. I want as many doors as possible to be open to me, and having difficulty deciding. If anyone has any info, let us know. Inquiring minds want to know!

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Additional Info after meeting with both schools.

At the same university:

MSN Program. Tuition markedly less than the School of Business. No online courses. Clinical has to take first in sequence over 2 semesters, so bustin' my hump to get done early couldn't occur.

Business: Would cost me $4-6000 more. 50-70% can be done online if I like, can pretty much do it as quickly as I can tolerate doing that.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

And the Winner is...............

Masters in Management!

I spoke with someone who had been a CNO. She said to go the MBA/MM route

She felt that by taking the MSN I'd be paying to take courses that would teach me what i already know.

I have 26% of the MM completed, the business school is more user friendly with more scheduling & online options available if desired

And, the MM will qualify me for many more positions. This way I'm not restricted to only nursing related programs

[livingthedream, APN]

good for you with the MM!! I am going backwards... I have the BS in Business and MS in Project Management, working at health care firm in Product development... going back full time for MSN for non-nursing undergrads....

I agree that the business will take you where it seems you want to go. I see many nurses that come to high profile jobs at insurance co. after going back for business....

Good luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

It sounds like you probably made the right choice for you. Congratulations and good luck with your studies!

However, can I ask you 1 favor? I've worked with several nurisng leaders who have BSN's and then MS's in buisiness or management fields. Some of them have been terrific. However, some of them stopped learning anything about nursing the day they started their MBA (or MM) program. So, while they may know a whole lot about the business side of health care, they still have only an entry-level education in nursing and are woefully ignorant of anything that has happened in the nursing field recently -- and they never learn any of the advanced content of the nursing field.

The best ones take a few nursing classes, go to nursing conferences, read nursing journals, etc. to keep up with the nursing profession and gain a familiarity with advanced nursing concepts as they develop their business knowledge. The worst ones leave nursing behind and become business people who neither relate nor identify with the nurses they are trying to lead. If you want to be a nursing leader, you need to remain a nurse and become familiar with the content taught in the advanced nursing courses.

I'm not saying you shouldn't get your MM, just that you should not limit your nursing knowledge to the entry-level material taught at the undergraduate level.