I am 48 years old and am (cross my fingers) getting into Scottsdale Comm College Nursing program in August. I will be finished in December 2011 with an AD. I have taken all the co-requisite classes for a BSN, so I hope to finish that quickly. I got an MHA in 1989 and worked for 15 years in Health Strategy and Planning. By 2012 I want to move out of Arizona and start a new life as a nurse. I will have at that time, an A.D., BSN, MHA with six month experience as an R.N. My question is, will my Masters degree help me get hired or make me more attractive as a candidate? Will it help me if I choose to go overseas for example to Singapore or Australia? And finally, will my education increase my wage?
You so misunderstood me! I wasn't being dismissive about MSN's, but about MHA's! Since I graduated in 1988, it seems there are a lot of "diploma mills" popping up and I can tell you it is not the same thing. As far as I know, there isn't an easy way to get an MSN! I do not expect my MHA degree to do much for me in the nursing arena, however, I am hoping it will help get me hired.
In addition to 20+ years in health care planning and administration, I worked for 5 years as a CNA. I imagine that experience is more valuable from a nursing perspective!
I do think that the MHA degree provides a better foundation in healthcare systems, as I mentioned, specifically in reimbursement, finance and planning. These skills don't help much on a nursing floor, though, do they? Obviously a nurse can learn on the job what he/she needs to be an administrator, but it certainly doesn't work the other way around which is why I am going to nursing school!
If a nurse who becomes an MHA expects her nursing experience to count for something, shouldn't an MHA who becomes a nurse expect her MHA to count for something?
I have been self evaluating and reflecting for the past year on what to pursue as my Master's degree and thought I had found the answer with a MHA program from Ohio State University. But after reading some of the comments from this thread I wonder if now it is a poor choice. It had crossed my mind that I should pick a MSN with Administration focus, but then I reasoned that a general degree might be more marketable in this economy. Am I wrong?
I am in my early 50's and want to get started in January, but now I think I am back to the evaluation stage!!
Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.
OP,
I'm going to disagree with previous posters and say that your MHA is going to help you a great deal in your nursing career, if you want it to. You are going to have to get your feet wet first with 1-2 years of bedside experience. Past that, however, you are going to be a shoo-in for any position in nursing admin or management, if you want it.
I would think seriously about whether or not getting a BSN on top of your ADN considering that you already have a Master's degree (and obviously a Bachelor's prior.) You are (going to be) a nurse, and you are going to be educated at the Master's level in a related field. Most places around here, that is plenty to get your foot in the door as far as working as a nurse administrator, and it is a lot more than some other people have. If you truly want a BSN, I would say go for it, but it may not really help you at all.
My newly promoted nurse manager had a BSN and just finished her MBA-HCM (health care management) which is somewhat similar to an MHA. She is now the chief nurse of surgical services at my hospital. She postured herself well for a future as a nurse executive, as you will have.
"i think it is funny, though, that most nurses don't think much of an mha. i actually went through a real program with five full-time semesters (65 credits) and a thesis at a major university, as compared to a having a piece of paper from some online university. i did an internship and a fellowship, as well."
indysmom,
i am an rn-bsn that went back to graduate school after 15 years of experience. while working full time and taking care of my family i obtained an msn with an education focus degree from a fully-accredited (real) online university. i take offense that you would consider this to be a "piece of paper from an online university".
i think it is funny that some people, in this highly electronic age, would look down upon someone's degree because it was obtained online.
Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.
I think it is funny that some people, in this highly electronic age, would look down upon someone's degree because it was obtained online.
I think this is a completely separate debate and one for another thread, and not a reason to get snotty with the OP. There are MANY people that have issues with the quality of online education across the board in all disciplines, not just nursing. The recent strong prevalence of fishy for-profit online schools and the ensuing media coverage has only added another dimension to this. I would add that just because a school is accredited doesn't mean that it is good -- online school or not, there are programs out there that are in danger of having ther accreditation pulled because their students either aren't passing their own program or passing boards. In this day and age, it is buyer beware when it comes to higher education. There is a huge price tag attached to a degree in most instances and it is wise to check all your facts before you commit to any program of study in any field. In addition, online programs are particularly stigmatized by some as they are perceived to be of less quality. This is certainly something to be aware of when you commit to an online program.
Bormio
71 Posts
You so misunderstood me! I wasn't being dismissive about MSN's, but about MHA's! Since I graduated in 1988, it seems there are a lot of "diploma mills" popping up and I can tell you it is not the same thing. As far as I know, there isn't an easy way to get an MSN! I do not expect my MHA degree to do much for me in the nursing arena, however, I am hoping it will help get me hired.
In addition to 20+ years in health care planning and administration, I worked for 5 years as a CNA. I imagine that experience is more valuable from a nursing perspective!
I do think that the MHA degree provides a better foundation in healthcare systems, as I mentioned, specifically in reimbursement, finance and planning. These skills don't help much on a nursing floor, though, do they? Obviously a nurse can learn on the job what he/she needs to be an administrator, but it certainly doesn't work the other way around which is why I am going to nursing school!
If a nurse who becomes an MHA expects her nursing experience to count for something, shouldn't an MHA who becomes a nurse expect her MHA to count for something?