I've had a change of heart and needs some advice...

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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i can't speak for everyone but i'm relieved to be entering a new year. i understand times are hard and are predicted to get harder, but as i reflect on this past year my desire to become a nurse couldn't be stronger. previously my goal was to become a crna. i like the autonomy of the profession and the salary is a great bonus, but after the past year i would like to pursue the field of public health. with the motto of this past year being change i have found a renewed sense of hope that we can make things better. there is much needed change in our government health programs and now is the time to explore new possibilities.

while registering for spring 2009 courses i did an evaluation of my previous course work and realized many of my courses could be used in the associate of business degree plan. i feel like a business background would be helpful in the public health sector but don't know if it's worth adding an additional two months of coursework :banghead:

would an associate's degree in business help my chances of gaining a position in nursing management anymore than a bsn and a few years of experience?

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Specializes in Maternity.

i may be the only one but, i am having a hard time understanding what you are asking.

my guess is that if you want to be in nursing management, the best form of education would be a degree in nursing.

do a little bit of research on the specific job type that you want and see how the possible path you are looking into, worked for others.

-good luck!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

While having a Bachelor's Degree in nursing is required for many nursing management positions, I believe that degree fails to adequately prepare most nurses for a management role.

If you can add a minor in business management to your course of study without adding much time or expense to your schooling, I believe it will be well worth the effort.

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You should get the associate's in business if its something that interests you and something you think you'll use, but as far as nursing management goes you'll most likely need a BSN and maybe MSN. Some people do MSN/MBA programs and that's a path that might interest you. Or since you are interested in public health maybe MSN/MPH would be right for you.

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thanks for the replies! i can see what the bsn will offer me and still plan on working towards that. i understand to manage nurses you have to experience being a nurse yourself. after this semester i will have six science courses i need to complete before i can apply to a nursing program. taking a max. of two science courses a semester it will take me at least 3 semesters to complete. if i decide to get an assoc. in business i need to complete six courses as well but can fit them into two semesters and at the same time knock out 2 science courses.

so in a nut shell.... i want to know from others in nursing management if an assoc. in business would be beneficially and worth losing two semesters for, or if the experience you gain working as nurse is just as good and i should focus on my nursing prereqs to get this done asap?

hope i've clarified:wink2:

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Specializes in ICU.

Have you talked to a nursing advisor yet? S/he may be able to help you decide the best course to take, or, at the very least, point you in the right direction to find the information you need.

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Just my :twocents: also but to get a salary coming in and seeing the nursing field, I would pursue the nursing degree and get it ASAP. When you get a nursing position, I would pursue the admin. option using the hospital's money to pursue the admin. degree if possible. I always like using other people's money for things when I get the chance...:). But since I am only starting clinicals this semester, someone with more experience might be more nursing worldly wise.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

The hottest degree option in my area for managers is the combined MSN/MBA. Personally, I don't think an associates degree in business is beneficial. However, I would definitely pursue the BSN, get some experience, look around at what managers have (as far as degrees) in your area and then decide.

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