Associates in Health Care Management

[Guest915876]

Hello,

Some background: I'm an RN with my BSN and 2 years of ambulatory experience in pediatrics. I've recently also become certified as a pediatric nurse (CPN). I've been doing my best to learn as much as possible in a short time and see myself in a leadership position in the future.

My question is, my employer office tuition assistance up to $3,000 per year. I'd like to take advantage of this job perk but many master's programs are much more expensive and I'm unfortunately not in a position to pay much out of pocket or increase my debt load.

My local technical college office an associates degree in health care management. With the credits already obtained from my BSN I could complete this degree in only a few semesters. The tuition would also be substantially cheaper and most likely covered/reimbursed by my employer.

I know that there are some nurse supervisor/management positions do not require any additional education but I figured it certainly wouldn't hurt.

My question is if it looks bad to obtain an associate's degree when you already have a bachelor's or any additional thoughts you may have.

Thanks!

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

I can't imagine that any management degree less than a bachelor's would be of much benefit in future employment.

[eh14]

look at the chronic care msn at georgia southern. its 12k i believe, and 30 credits

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

I returned to school too and have a BSN and an MBA. I know the problem of thinking about a way to pay for tuition as well continue to live without school debt. With that said, no, the associates degree will not benefit you in management/leadership position. The only degree hiring managers of nurses seek in many cases is a BSN or equivalent for an entry level leadership or management position. Some facilities who are moving to Magnet or have Magnet status do not seek nurse leaders or nurse managers without an MSN or equivalent (MPH, MBA, etc. work too in some places). Thus, I encourage you to see if your employer or an employer nearby offers scholarships along with tuition assistance.

Also, as the above poster points out, there are schools that are cheap enough to receive an MSN where one can pay-out-of-pocket. In fact, look at schools that will allow you to make payments as you complete your semester work. For example, I paid out-of-pocket for my ADN and my BSN without assistance from my employers and paid as I went. For my ADN I saved per semester to pay for the next semester. I had next to no debt and worked two jobs at the time. For my BSN I won one scholarship ($500), worked as a RN, and made monthly payments to be in compliance with the University I attended. I also continued to live below my means.

At this time, I am fortunate to be receiving tuition assistance and scholarships through my employer. However, I must pay-out-of pocket upfront until I am reimbursed (I am guessing it is to force employees to be motivated to complete our degrees successfully, but I do not know for sure). In any case, again, I am living well below my means and I am attending a very cheap school. I liken the tuition payments I make for this degree to making monthly rent payments or monthly payments on an expensive car (I drive old paid-off generic vehicles, by the way). Good luck!