Have my MHA, looking at nursing... need advice!

[saralauren]

Well this is my first post, but I've been reading a lot and there's so much good info... Anyway, here is my situation. I have my BA in Human Development and I will be receiving my Master of Health Administration degree from the University of South Carolina on August 5 (one month!!). My heart has always been in health care, I had a few different internship experiences in hospitals while I was in undergrad and loved it so much. So that was what initially led me to get my MHA.

The MHA program has been good... not necessarily what I expected (huge emphasis on accounting/financial stuff), but still useful. However, for the past year or so I have really been thinking of pursuing a clinical career instead of just administrative. I definitely wanted to finish my MHA, because I know it will be useful either way, but I've met a ton of hospital administrators and I'm just not sure that I'm cut out for that kind of positition. I'm a very hands-on kind of person, I love being around people... on the "front lines" of health care as opposed to "behind the scenes."

So eventually I decided to apply to an accelerated BSN program, since it seems like that would be the best fit for my situation. However, I've been reading a lot about accelerated programs on this forum and there seems to be a lot of debate about how effective they are. Does it seem like I would be a good candidate for this? My thought is having a BSN plus my background in health admin would be a good combination.

So far, I have applied to the accelerated BSN program at Waynesburg College (I'm originally from that area of PA), and I'm applying to the accelerated program at WVU as well.

I guess I'm really just looking for other perspectives on my situation, hopefully from someone who knows more about all of this than I do! Do you know of anyone in a similar situation as me who has pursued nursing after getting an MHA?

Thank you,

Sara

[tookewlandy]

Saralauren -- i think accelerated BSN would be perfect for you. And i am from that area also( well Beaver county Pa so pretty close). Waynesburg is a good school , i have tons of friends who went there and loved it. good luck and welcome.

[labcat01, BSN, RN]

Hi Sara,

I have my MPH and i'm starting an accelerated BSN program this fall. If you want to do it then you should go for it! Personally, i've been downplaying my graduate degree around my classmates (I really don't want to give them the impression that it means anything special because I definitely don't know MORE about nursing). I think the two degrees will be a great combination.

Best of luck,

Linda

[FLAgal14]

Hi Saralauren

I also have a MPH and I'm planning on applying towards accelerated BSN programs. I think your MHA will be a good match with a nursing degree - definately go for it! Good luck