I have an MBA degree: ADN vs BSN question?

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 11, 2008

No. Certainly there will be lots of jobs that will be available for you with the MBA/ADN combination, but not all of the same jobs that would be available to if you had a higher degree in nursing.

For example: If you want to be in Nursing Administration in a hospital that is seeking (or already has) Magnet status, you would need at least a BSN in nursing. Also, if you ever become interested in an advanced nursing role with a clinical or educational focus, you would probably have to go back to school for a BSN -- and maybe an MSN for some jobs.

However, you will find that many facilities would hire you for management jobs without the BSN. It's just that those facilities are becoming fewer further between as an increasing number of facilities are raising their standards to be consistent with the Magnet designation.

navvet · Nov 13, 2008

MBA/RN... Hospital Administration your hired. 70k a year 8-5 all holidays and weekends off.

sunray12 · Nov 24, 2008

The ADN isn't necessarily quicker if you already have a Bachelor's degree. In my area cc ADN programs run about 2.5 years. In 2 years you could have a MSN if you can find a direct entry program. An accelerated BSN can be done in as little as 12-18 months. The path you choose depends on cost, your professional goals, etc.

GorJess · Dec 14, 2008

The ADN isn't necessarily quicker if you already have a Bachelor's degree. In my area cc ADN programs run about 2.5 years. In 2 years you could have a MSN if you can find a direct entry program. An accelerated BSN can be done in as little as 12-18 months. The path you choose depends on cost, your professional goals, etc.

After looking back over both programs, it takes about the same amount of time like you said.

The accelerated BSN program that I want to do in my area is $34,000+ for just 12 months. This program is offered with the private college that I got my BA in accounting and MBA degree. But I have 5 pre-requisite courses to take before being completely accepted into the program which will take me a year and a half to do since I work full-time.

The ADN program is $9,000 for 2 years. This program is offered at a community college. I only have 2 pre-requisite courses to take which will take me just one semester to do.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 14, 2008

MBA/RN... Hospital Administration your hired. 70k a year 8-5 all holidays and weekends off.

If the OP is truly interested in Hospital Administration rather than Nursing Administration, then maybe he should invest in a degree in Hospital Administration or Health Services Administration and not nursing. With his/her current MBA, he would probably not have a problem with pre-req's and would probably do well in the courses, etc. He may even find it easier to work while taking courses in the evening, online, etc. That might be an easier route to health services administration positions than a nursing degree of any kind.

GorJess: Have you looked into Health Services Administration degrees as an option? That might be a quicker, easier route for you.

NewGoalRN · Dec 21, 2008

I am in the same scenario. I have a M.B.A and a B.S in Mgmt Info Services. I work full time and I have decided to go the ASN route. I am only 2 classes short (micro and AP2) which I plan to take Spring 09. I did my other req. classes Fall 09.

I looked in to the ABSN route but I would have been required to :

1. Quit my job and go to school full time. This was not a prudent decision to me based on the economy and I need to work

2. My local university USF had 2 classes Summer and Fall and due to budget cuts, the Summer program was cut this year

3. The ABSN program is very competitive to get in and based on #2 will even be more competitive

4. My local CC has an evening ASN program that will allow me to work.

5. I don't qualify for financial aid so I have to go the cheapest way i.e ASN and then get hired and get job to pay for my BSN

I, too wonder if the M.B.A will allow me to start with a higher salary or be in line for mgmt positions without the BSN or while I am completing my BSN.

p.s. I don't want to havea Health Admin degree. I would prefer the actual nursing degree.

Quienes · Nov 11, 2009

Hi

What did you decide to do and how is it going? I am scheduled to start a ADN program in Feb., I have a BA and could also do an accelerated BSN program or direct entry MSN program. They are very expensive and we also don't qualify for financial aid (California - big salary - bigger morgage). I've also heard that the BSN and MSN are very intense (5 days/week and weekends) and I have children that are a huge consideration. Anyway, that's why I chose to pursue the c.c. route. Then last week I bumped into some student nurses and we started talking. They gave me the impression that the community college program is also very intense in which case I might as well get my BSN or MSN in a shorter period of time. What's your impression been. Do you think it's harder for them because the women I spoke with don't have a similar educational background? Thanks

samswim4 · Nov 29, 2009

Hey I was wondering the same thing. I am graduating in December with an ADN. I already have a BS in Biology. I am very interested in Hospital Administration(ie. NM, Director, Administrator). I'm applying for a MBA program and a MHA(Masters in Health Admin) for the summer semesters. From the people I have spoke with, many of them said that since I will be a RN with an MBA or MHA I would be an excellent candidate for one of those positions. If you want to do admin, I think you will be perfectly fine with the ADN/MBA combo. Of course you will need a couple of years of clinical experience before you will be able to take one of those management positions.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Nov 30, 2009

I have a BS and MS in finance and am preparing for nursing. If you are choosing between ADN and BSN, and not considering MSN, I would say go for a BSN simply because some places require at least a BSN for higher level jobs. I think having the BSN + exceptional experience would open more doors than having an ADN w/ MBA.

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2009

Like it or not ... the minimal requirement for someone in a management position in a Magnet hospital is a BSN (not ADN) regardless of the other degrees they might hold. The BSN (or higher nursing degree) is required. Or rather it will be as of January 2013.

Now ... if you have no interested in nursing administration/management ... and are just interested in hospital administration, that's a totally different story. For jobs in hospital administration, you don't need any type of degree in nursing.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Nov 30, 2009

Like it or not ... the minimal requirement for someone in a management position in a Magnet hospital is a BSN (not ADN) regardless of the other degrees they might hold. The BSN (or higher nursing degree) is required. Or rather it will be as of January 2013.
Now ... if you have no interested in nursing administration/management ... and are just interested in hospital administration, that's a totally different story. For jobs in hospital administration, you don't need any type of degree in nursing.

That's what I thought too. It really does depend on what kind of adminstration you want to do. Personally I wouldn't want to be in management at all.