Getting my MBA

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 31, 2006

I would practice nursing for at least a year or two before making such a decision about grad school that will limit your future career options. An MBA will help you with certain management/administration jobs -- but it will eliminate you from others. Many employers want their nursing managers to have an advanced degree in nursing -- not in another disciplines. Plus, an MBA will not qualify you for any type of advanced clinical positions or nursing education positions.

An MBA can be a good choice for some nurses ... but you might want to actually explore the many options within nursing before you leave nursing for your graduate degree. Rushing into something without first having any experience within nursing might lead you to make a decision you will regret later.

llg

crazylilkelly · Jul 31, 2006

I would practice nursing for at least a year or two before making such a decision about grad school that will limit your future career options. An MBA will help you with certain management/administration jobs -- but it will eliminate you from others. Many employers want their nursing managers to have an advanced degree in nursing -- not in another disciplines. Plus, an MBA will not qualify you for any type of advanced clinical positions or nursing education positions.
An MBA can be a good choice for some nurses ... but you might want to actually explore the many options within nursing before you leave nursing for your graduate degree. Rushing into something without first having any experience within nursing might lead you to make a decision you will regret later.
llg

thanks for your advice! i guess i figured it couldn't hurt. the program is set up so i only have to take one online class @ a time so i wouldn't be a full time student. i figured that'd be manageable. you're right though, i'd much rather get experience & figure out if i wanted to pursue the many dif options for nurses. we'll see. i'm just OBSESSIVE about figure out what i want to do in the future (i think its a good thing though).

Trauma Columnist · Jul 31, 2006

When I was considering grad school, I considered an MBA/MSN program also. However, I took a couple of business courses and was bored out of my mind, so instead stuck with the MSN. That has worked well for me. Good luck.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 31, 2006

thanks for your advice! i guess i figured it couldn't hurt. the program is set up so i only have to take one online class @ a time so i wouldn't be a full time student. i figured that'd be manageable. you're right though, i'd much rather get experience & figure out if i wanted to pursue the many dif options for nurses. we'll see. i'm just OBSESSIVE about figure out what i want to do in the future (i think its a good thing though).

There is nothing wrong with exploring options, imagining, etc. -- but I wouldn't make any committments of time and money until you have actually explored what it is like to actually be a nurse and the many different options within the discipline of nursing.

For example: Maybe you will really like direct patient care and want to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Perhaps you will fall in love with patient teaching and want to specialize in that. Perhaps you will want to be a staff development instructor ... or teach in a nursing school. Perhaps ...perhaps ... perhaps.

There is nothing wrong with a career in management/administration. But how do you know that is the part of nursing that will be your favorite? And even if you decide to go into management ... why not consider an MSN in Nursing Administration? There are plenty of online programs offering MSN's in a variety of specialties (including Nursing Administration) that would allow you to get your MSN on a part-time basis. Why look outside of nursing before you have even given nursing a chance?

There is one more factor to consider: financial aid. You will probably find more financial aid available for MSN programs than for MBA programs. Your employer will probably support you more if you are getting your Master's in nursing rather than in another field. And with the nursing shortage, there are more special scholarships, etc. available for people getting nursing degrees. That's likely to continue in the forseeable future.

llg

crazylilkelly · Jul 31, 2006

thanks everyone! i didn't know there were online msn programs. i'll have to look into that for the "possible" future.

ladybug02124 · Aug 22, 2006

I was also thinking taht same thing. I worked as a pedi surgical nurse for a year after graduation . now i'm in the OR, and was thinking about an MBA in healthcare management. It is true that I could get a MSN and also do management. I'm not sure. there are just too many options. I was kindsa thinking an MBA/HCM would be very marketable.But that is true that employers would probably support you more if you stayed in the nursing field. I'm glad i decided to look at this thread. thanks everyone.

Also does anyone know about online nursing programs??? How good are they the classes are excellerated 6 wk courses, and you mee 2X per month and have online stuff the rest of the 6 weeks.

fiestynurse · Sep 2, 2006

I have seen many people in upper management and administration with a Masters in Health Administration (MHA)

nicolentony · Oct 4, 2006

I, too, am interested in an MBA/Healthcare Administration. I'm currently finishing my BSN and work as a nursing supervisor. I really enjoy it. I have spoken to people at the hospital I work at and gotten their viewpoint. Those that have an MBA or MS in Healthcare Adminstration hold Director positions and said that if they tire of the hospital, they can go into healthcare organizations and work. They believe their degree to be more marketable which in turn raises their salary.

I'm interested in online degree. That's what I'm doing now and am very satisfied with it.

JazzyJJ · Aug 11, 2009

Hello. I will be getting my MBA this Fall, just one more class to go to graduate. I am considering to get my BSN too. I would take pre-reqs this Fall for spring admission into nursing school. Ultimately I want to go into healthcare administration and I feel I need clinical experience to do this. I feel like I am getting my degrees backwards as you all have your nursing degree already. I was working in the pharma industry as a manager while I was going to business school. I stopped working to attend school full time. I know I like management, but I want more patient connection. Now instead of looking for another job, I am thinking to get my BSN. In addition, all the jobs that I am interested in require a nursing degree. Unless I find a position where I work myself up. I feel BSN may open more opportunities for me. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice?

JazzyJJ · Aug 11, 2009

One more thing - I'm not sure if bedside care is for me. I plan to volunteer to experience it. How long would you think I would have to work as a RN before I could move into administration? I don't want my MBA to become useless...

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 11, 2009

One more thing - I'm not sure if bedside care is for me. I plan to volunteer to experience it. How long would you think I would have to work as a RN before I could move into administration? I don't want my MBA to become useless...

Bare minimum for a management position in a "good facility" that wasn't desparate would be at least 1 year. But 2 or 3 years would be preferred. It usually takes about one year for a new graduate nurse to become competent as a staff nurse. It takes a couple more years to become proficient/expert. No self-respecting staff nurse would want to work for a manager who was not competent in the field -- and no employer would hire a nurse-manager who was not at least competent in clinical practice.

There is nothing wrong with having gotten a business education first ... but you are still going to be expected to be competent as a nurse and not just have the letters after your name.