Career Options/Advice

[derekfitness]

Hey everyone,

I'm kind of at a crossroads at my life right now, going back to school to be in the medical field, but I'm just unsure of which path to take. One of my options would be to get an RN, but the other field I would like to enter is the hospital administration side of things. My only obstacle is that I just have a bachelors in communications, and no real hospital/medical experience. To get an RN it would take me maybe 1/½ - 2 years, but I could actually get my masters done in mba/healthcare in a bout a year. My question is is it hard, even with an mba, or even before I get an mba to get a position even starting out in a hospital with no experience? Even like a billing clerk or something like that? I also thought about getting a medical/billing/coding certificate but that's another year and more time and money spent on something else that I wouldn't wanna be doing forever. Anyways, I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice on hospital /health administration, if anyone has them. Thanks so much for any information you could provide as it would be very very appreciated! Hope everyone is well!

Derek

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[Guest717236]

Years ago I would have answered that the MBA/Healthcare would be

a good avenue. Here in New England, the last 10 years or so

I have seen an increase in downsizing especially management positions

in hospitals often during mergers.

You might want to take a close look at your area in relation to

job stability and management.

With an RN degree, you could later transition to the business side once

you determine what the requirements for administration are where

you want to work.

Welcome to AN and best wishes!

[LLawsor520]

Hello Jahra,

I was kind of glad to read about what's going on in hospitals on the management/healthcare side because I was thinking of making changes in my career too. Job stability is definitely something to consider these days when deciding on a career change. I am currently a medical-surgical RN obtaining my BSN with hopes of moving away from "floor nursing" due to the stress. For 2.5 yrs now I have been an agency nurse and was not completely sure of all the changes being made. Downsizing makes sence in hospitals since the economy is still really bad.

[Guest717236]

Hello Jahra,

Downsizing makes sence in hospitals since the economy is still really bad.

Well, the situation I am referring to is when a small non profit hospitals were purchased by

a for profit hospital group. It was sad to see dedicated managers who had years of

experience let go, I am speaking on the business side and not the high level management.

My caution to the OP is that management has always had the reputation of being

somewhat unstable in our area.

Hi LLawsor520,

Best wishes on your BSN studies. What career moves are you considering?

Pairing your nursing with a degree like an MPH may open some avenues for

a job away from the floor nursing aspect.