Degree questions

heartnursing · May 12, 2010

hey

because you dont entirely know what you want to be yet its hard to say.

i am currently going into my second year of the bsn and what i love about it is that i know when i am done there are so many opportunities in administration (such as a nurse manager) as well as floor nursing from ltc to acute.

i think you should pursue what you truly feel you can see yourself doing in 10-20 years from now!

good luck with whatever you decide :redpinkhe

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

Most of the professors and administrators I've talked to say that the Health Administration degree is a waste of time. Better to get your BSN because you can still do administration with that degree without limiting yourself to just administration. However, this is just the opinion of the many I've asked (because I've had that question myself) and not meant as an insult to anyone who holds that degree.

BTW, one of the people who told me it was a waste is an administrator and has the health administration degree, for what it's worth.

caliotter3 · May 12, 2010

I would pursue the BSN before the other. The BSN has more immediate advantages, such as putting you in a better position should you end up working in a facility that decides to upgrade and limit their nursing staff to BSN and above. Should you decide to get the other degree, look for a degree from an established institution; avoid the online "degree mill" schools. If you do an internet search for that degree, you will find 8 or 9 "degree mill" schools for every established school health administration degree. Be selective.

traumaj · May 12, 2010

hey,

I know your at a crossroads and its hard to decide because you may be deciding to put alot of time and money out to try a new course. I think you should persue the BSCN personally, because with that you can excel in healthcare and also do administrative work, and even go back to school again to continue on to become a nurse practioner if interested. Ultimately it is your decision, but i would not just take a normal administration course myself as being in such a career as nursing. If you like the courses and believe you would truely be interested in administration then take it. you have to seriously sit down and weigh the pros and cons of each decisions and determine what is most interesting to you at this time in your life, and eventually you will make the right decision for yourself. don't doubt yourself just seriously think about it and make a final date to decide on one or the other.

goodluck xo

Schmoo1022 · May 12, 2010

Thank you for all the honest replies. I too, have heard that there isn't much I could do with a Bachelor of Health over a BSN. I don't mean to say the degree is useless, because I am sure it isn't. I just feel I need to make myself more marketable in these times, to be able to have other options, aside from charge nurse. I do love it, but I do not want to do it forever. I'm interested in MDS, but can't get any hands on experience from my VERY small facility. (MDS coordinator only works part-time)

I do think the BSN is the direction I need to go.

Moogie · May 12, 2010

I think you're making a good decision with the BSN. Not only will it give you the flexibility to move into administration but it can be a foundation if you end up deciding to get into a gero nurse practitioner or CNS program. Yes, there are bridge programs for RN to MSN but it doesn't sound like you are quite ready to make the decision about where you want to go---and that's okay! The BSN would help you get some ideas about what you would like to do with your career.

The bachelor's in healthcare administration may not be quite as flexible in terms of your career and while no education is ever wasted, it might not be the best fit for you unless you want to leave nursing and become a non-nursing administrator. (What I mean to say is, it would prepare you to be the administrator or executive director of a nursing home rather than become the DON.)

Having said that, there are many ADNs and LPNs who work MDS, quality assurance, management, or education roles. Some of these people are very competent, having learned on the job. Some of them are not. I think a BSN is excellent preparation for these roles and would be a good investment in your future. Again, there are plenty of people who have these roles and don't have BSNs but if you have the chance to get your degree, you will make yourself a more well-rounded candidate and it might be easier for you to acclimate yourself to such a role.

achot chavi · May 13, 2010

Good luck in whatever you decide!