Finished my MBA-HM last week. Ask me anything!

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

Not completely nursing school related, but I have been concurrently enrolled in WGU's MBA Healthcare Management while working on my MSN/FNP. As of last week, I've completed all requirements and submitted for graduation. It's a great feeling to have the first of two Master's degrees done!

If anyone is interested in this program, feel free to ask me anything. I was enrolled in the "old" MBA program. The new MBA program has replaced many of the papers with exams, and I know nothing about them. I definitely would have rather taken the exams!

Quote
How long did it take?

From start to finish, it took me 10 months. I probably could have gone more quickly, but 1) I wouldn't have retained much information, and 2) I was (and still am) also working on my MSN. I wouldn't recommend attempting to go any faster, unless you truly know the material. There is no value in the credential if you have no clue what you're doing when it's all said and done!

Quote
Why did you do it, if you're working on becoming an NP?

So many NP's, PA's, physicians, and other healthcare providers have absolutely no idea how to actually run a business -- or at least how to run one efficiently. I wanted to differentiate myself on job applications, particularly when applying to practices that are not managed by a larger healthcare organization.

Additionally, I want to eventually open my own practice after getting a lot of solid clinical experience. I need to have that business foundation in addition to clinical skills to be able to operate a successful practice.

Quote
Did your wife hate you for working on two Master's degrees at the same time while you have a new baby to raise?

No, my wife was very supportive and understanding. But, it was (and still is) definitely tough to focus on school while taking care of my awesome baby girl. I figure, why not get school out of the way now, while she's little and won't remember that daddy stared at his laptop all the time? ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Congrats! Solid plan- your plan for the future sounds solid- you've set yourself up nicely.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

I am in the program now (the new one with the tests).. So far so good, two classes down. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Congratulations on your accomplishment! :)

I am also entertaining the idea of earning a business graduate degree alongside the MSN. I'm still trying to decide between an MBA and the MS in human resource management. Anyhow, thanks for shedding light on your experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Congratulations on your accomplishment! :)

I am also entertaining the idea of earning a business graduate degree alongside the MSN. I'm still trying to decide between an MBA and the MS in human resource management. Anyhow, thanks for shedding light on your experience.

Just out of curiosity, what are your long-term goals? Unless you're dead-set on working in HR, I'm not able to perceive the benefit of an MS in HR over a seemingly more-versatile MBA. Not criticizing the choice, but just curious about your strategy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Just out of curiosity, what are your long-term goals? Unless you're dead-set on working in HR, I'm not able to perceive the benefit of an MS in HR over a seemingly more-versatile MBA. Not criticizing the choice, but just curious about your strategy.
I'm interested in becoming an hospital HR director, recruiter, talent acquisition manager, utilization review manager, or director of staff development.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
I'm interested in becoming an hospital HR director, recruiter, talent acquisition manager, utilization review manager, or director of staff development.

Other than the first three being related, that's a pretty wide range of careers. MS in HR really seems like a better fit for someone who has been working in HR for years and is looking to promote within that department. The MBA is much broader in scope and is a common check-the-box credential for many director-level positions.

I did a quick Google search for "MS in human resources" (without quotes) to see some example curricula for those type of programs. The first link that popped up was a Forbes listing this degree as the 10th worst Master's degree to get for employment potential. Yikes. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I did a quick Google search for "MS in human resources" (without quotes) to see some example curricula for those type of programs. The first link that popped up was a Forbes listing this degree as the 10th worst Master's degree to get for employment potential.
Ah, yes. I've seen that dispiriting link several times. I am still thinking about my next educational move, though. :)
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Ah, yes. I've seen that dispiriting link several times. I am still thinking about my next educational move, though. :)

I suppose it's not that bad if you also have an MSN to go along with it. Any business-related Master's will be very helpful in upward mobility in the hospital. I just like the versatility of the MBA in the unlikely event that I decide to leave healthcare. Although, in hindsight, I wish I'd taken WGU's vanilla MBA for that purpose.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mental Health Nursing.
I did a quick Google search for "MS in human resources" (without quotes) to see some example curricula for those type of programs. The first link that popped up was a Forbes listing this degree as the 10th worst Master's degree to get for employment potential. Yikes. :D

Was the MSN (leadership & management) on that list of worst degree to get for employment potential?

I have been thinking about getting my MBA in health care management to make myself more marketable. Right now, I get beat out in interviews by BSN nurses with 10+ years of experience who put my MSN to shame. I need something else lol. How difficult would you say the program is for someone with no prior background in business?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Was the MSN (leadership & management) on that list of worst degree to get for employment potential?
The link below discusses eight reasons to not earn a business degree. :)

8 Reasons Not to Get a Business Degree - CBS News

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
Was the MSN (leadership & management) on that list of worst degree to get for employment potential?

Ha. No, it wasn't. Really, if you're going into nursing administration, I don't think that the MSN is particularly useful unless your organization prefers it. Some do, some don't. In my 13-hospital organization, manager-level nursing admin jobs require a BSN, but director-level and above prefer (but don't require) a Master's in Nursing, Business, Healthcare Admin, or a related discipline.

Right now, I get beat out in interviews by BSN nurses with 10+ years of experience who put my MSN to shame.

If this is how your organization operates, then this is actually a good thing. A BSN with 10 years of progressive management experience is likely going to be a much better manager than the BSN/MBA with a couple of years experience. However, the MBA will make you more marketable. Last year, I applied for (and obtained) a job in corporate quality. The panelists in my interview were more impressed with my pursuit of the MBA than they were with my pursuit of the MSN. Unfortunately, my job -- along with 120 others at corporate, including 2 of the 4 people that interviewed me -- was cut a month later. Welcome to new and improved healthcare!

Have you considered applying for lower-level positions in administration, to build up your resume and improve your networking?

How difficult would you say the program is for someone with no prior background in business?

Some of the concepts were very difficult for me, because I had no prior experience with them and had no business background. However, I think that this program is designed for healthcare professionals who want to move into the business world, so the learning curve is fair.

The courses that initially come to mind as difficult are Financial Analysis (essentially similar to an accounting course) and Decision Analysis. Several of the courses were very easy because I've had years of exposure to the concepts, such as Risk Management, Accreditation Audit, and Leadership.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion