Healthcare Administration/Management... anyone????

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Does anyone know what one can do with a degree in Healthcare Administration/Management besides working in a nursing home? How can one further this degree? And is there a good job outlook in this field?

Anyone working in this field would be a BIG +++

Specializes in Geriatrics.
I am a non-traditional student currently (read "older") and I have a strong business background but no degree. My original plan, after much research, was to get a double major in Finance and Healthcare Mgmt and then get my MBA. I worked for two years on this path. Based on even more research and then shadowing a hospital CEO for a week and learning more about the "culture" I changed to a new plan.

I am completing my Jr. year in a BSN nursing program and will have a minor in Finance and HCM. And instead of getting my MBA I will be looking at a higher degree in the Nursing field.

The reasoning is simple. HCM degrees at the undergrad level are nothing but an entry level position whee you compete with anyone else who may have some small amount of business experience. In order to move up you need a Masters as well as several years of hospital experience. By going with the Nursing degree I have shaved those years off because a nurse with a strong business background (and is a good nurse) will move up the same chain almost 3 times as fast.

You could also argue that a nurse with a masters working in administration may be more respected than an MBA working the same position.

thanks for the reply. Actually, I am a nurse, right now with a couple of years of experience. For me I don't want to go further with nursing. I prefer management/administration position. I know I'll probably start at an entry level because I have no "management experience" (I might be wrong), but I guess we all have to start somewhere. I don't necessarily WANT a hospital position but if I get it...GREAT. Just wondering where else can I use my degree. And yes I do plan on getting my masters degree.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Several years ago when I was taking my prereqs I met a few of those, they could not find jobs. Like nursing, it doesn't really matter what kind of other experience you have. Getting a job does not have to do with talent, it has to do with how connected you are. You might think that you have a great talent mix and are going to be an employer pick, but in reality nobody really cares. HCM is another career that is flooded with new applicants. The people I met, were going into nursing or radiology due to inability to get a start in HCM.

Well, for me being a nurse is a backup;)

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Any other input?

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Any other input?

Keep your nose to the grindstone. ;)

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Keep your nose to the grindstone. ;)

Ummmm....don't quite understand what that means

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Ummmm....don't quite understand what that means

It's a saying. Meaning is keep working at it. I'm sorry I replied. It's such a common saying every American should know what it means.

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Specializes in None.

Josinda, you are very luck to have nursing as a back up as for me I'm still troubled whether i should attempt LVN or RN...

I've completed some courses but I still find myself going back to nursing. I am a HCA major and I'm starting to think that maybe I should go back to Community college, finish all my science pre-reqs (I just need 2 - micro & physio) and concentrate into getting into a program.

Any suggestions?

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Specializes in CVICU, Obs/Gyn, Derm, NICU.
thanks for the reply. Actually, I am a nurse, right now with a couple of years of experience. For me I don't want to go further with nursing. I prefer management/administration position. I know I'll probably start at an entry level because I have no "management experience" (I might be wrong), but I guess we all have to start somewhere. I don't necessarily WANT a hospital position but if I get it...GREAT. Just wondering where else can I use my degree. And yes I do plan on getting my masters degree.

I understand you want to leap now, with a only a couple of years experience as an RN; into an entry level management role.

These openings are few and far between, unfortunately.

I cannot think of any business graduate 'executive development' type roles in nursing similar to what you might find in other industries eg finance.

In order to move up ... one has to move up through a speciality then aim for the management roles.

If I wanted to do this with a management masters - I would have an aggressive plan focusing on selling myself and networking.

I would also have a plan that would enable me to leapfrog over my more traditional rivals - diploma/ADN's /BSN's with lots of nursing experience but without MBA's or HCA masters.

If you don't choose the right route and the right plan - it is possible you might get 'stuck' with all the others.

Best wishes

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Josinda, you are very luck to have nursing as a back up as for me I'm still troubled whether i should attempt LVN or RN...

I've completed some courses but I still find myself going back to nursing. I am a HCA major and I'm starting to think that maybe I should go back to Community college, finish all my science pre-reqs (I just need 2 - micro & physio) and concentrate into getting into a program.

Any suggestions?

yea, if you like, you can always come back and finish up the HCA degree since you only have 2 more classes left. Whether you want LVN or RN..either way, you still have to have both classes. I would just go the RN route and get it over with. Good luck

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Do you guys think it is possible to go straight to administration right after masters?

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And usually how many years of experience do people have?

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