Career in healthcare/hospital...no healthcare experience

[Jody7818]

I've navigated this website to find a thread to put this under. If it doesn't fit here, let me know.

First...my background: I have 20 years experience in manufacturing. In one year from now, I'll have my Bachelor's degree in management. I'm strongly considering a career field change into a healthcare setting such as a hospital. I have zero experience in healthcare.

A few years ago, I lost my job. I was considering becoming a nurse and was accepted into a nursing program, but I never did start due to running out of money. I was forced back into manufacturing. While in college, I accumulated some science based credits such as Human A&P 1 and 2.

I never stopped going to college, and I'm at the point of finishing shortly. I still have a strong desire to work in a hospital/healthcare setting rather than working in mfg. Once I finish my degree, how do I get my foot in the door at a hospital in the Mgt field? Would I have a better chance if I finished a master's degree?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

There are a lot of jobs in the healthcare industry that do not require ANY clinical background or knowledge. After all, healthcare is a business that requires all the same operational functions - accounting, purchasing, supply chain management, billing, etc. Healthcare accounting is a 'different animal' due to all the weird and bizarre legislative rules, but there are many courses available to help with this knowledge. If you want to merge your two goals, I'd advise going for an MBA with a focus on Healthcare. A quick Google will turn up some options.

BTW, if you are thinking about moving in a clinical direction, be advised that you'll probably have to re-take all those science courses because they can't be over 5 years old at the time you apply for admission to a program. This is due to the amount of new knowledge that is generated.... anything over 5 years old is outdated.