Best degree for a Nursing Management Position?

[Bnmakr1]

I'm a long time follower and first time poster. I'm a nursing student who will graduate in April and I was wondering if I was interested in a nursing management position should I try to get a MSN, MBA, MPH, or a degree in health admin.?

Thanks

[angel337, MSN, RN]

i have worked with nurse managers that had ADN degrees. But most nurse managers have BSN's. masters prepared nurses usually want to do advanced practice, business administration or teaching. once you become a nurse and get your feet wet for a couple of years you will know what direction you will want to go in.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

The best degree for a unit manager usually is the BSN.

For higher up positions such as directors, VP's, etc. the MSN in Administration or the Masters In Health Care Administration will give you an ege. My ex-spouse was a BSN and when he got the MHCA he quickly got a director level position in another facility and a big fat raise. He was already a manager level with his BSN.

As was stated above there are many facilities that allow nurse managers with an ADN. Usually these are people with prior experience as managers in other faclities, or someone within their own facility they know has the skills and experience.

Good luck!

[kdblueey]

:welcome:Most of the RN's that receive their BSN, their focus is usually on a 'management' related field. I am in an accelerated RNBSN class, and their are twelve of us in the class. Most of them want to get away from bedside nursing. I wish to become a clinical instructor. Others simply want to improve their education.

Are you in school now? If you are in a school where you can obtain your BSN when you graduate, then great. But if you will obtain your Associates degree when you graduate, then I would suggest you enroll directly in a RNBSN degree to possibly a Master's. It just depends entirely on what you want to do with your degree.

Good luck

Kathy, RN

Ohio

[ready4crna?]

Depends on what type of nursing mgmt you want to do.

Healthcare is a unique animal that the business side operates like no other. (what other industry are you obligated to provide a service for a client who may pay you three months from now at less than what you charge if it was deemed appropriate by an uninvolved 3rd party.)

For basic unit mgmt a BSN is adequate. For a VP of nursing in acute/lt care get the MSN with a business focus. For a ceo position, MHCA/MBA would be good. The MPH would be if you intend to deal with population type problems and the management portion is less overseeing employees/organization and more administration of health policies (to my MPH colleagues- broad generalization here, I know.)

[Terpole]

Depends on what type of nursing mgmt you want to do.

Healthcare is a unique animal that the business side operates like no other. (what other industry are you obligated to provide a service for a client who may pay you three months from now at less than what you charge if it was deemed appropriate by an uninvolved 3rd party.)

For basic unit mgmt a BSN is adequate. For a VP of nursing in acute/lt care get the MSN with a business focus. For a ceo position, MHCA/MBA would be good. The MPH would be if you intend to deal with population type problems and the management portion is less overseeing employees/organization and more administration of health policies (to my MPH colleagues- broad generalization here, I know.)

That's probably the best thing ever written on this board...