MBA in healthcare management or RN-MSN in leadership

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Which is better for a floor nurse RN with a BS in another field? I don't want to stay on the floor ugh. My destiny is in the PACU/ICU/Surgery and eventually off the floor. But I can't decide which masters (if any) to get. I feel like getting my BSN is a waste of time when I already have a BS I can leverage into points towards a masters.

Any tips?

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Specializes in FNP.

Our CNO has an MBA, directors have a mix from MSNs to MBAs to specialty master's (informatics, gerontology, etc) - if I wanted to go management, I'd look at the MBA or healthcare administration. I don't - so I'm getting my FNP :) Good luck!

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I have the same dilemma. BS in Health Care Management and an ADN. I was considering going to RN-MSN route, but I think I'm leaning more toward getting a MBA in Healthcare Management. Not only do I think I would be able to complete this in about half the time of the RN-MSN route, I think it would possibly open up more opportunities for me besides nursing management. What did you decide on?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

MSN/MBA dual masters gives you the most options.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

My recommendation would be to get the MBA. While I believe that the MSN in Leadership would be more appropriate for a nurse manager, you will waste a lot of time doing BSN bridge courses (depending on what program you go into). Having the MBA will still open up a lot of doors for you.

The only problem I foresee is that I have seen many management positions that specifically require an MSN. However, with good interviewing skills and a strong resume, I think that you could bypass that requirement.

Also, if you ever have any desire to teach nursing down the road, you will run into a lot of resistance without the MSN. If you have no desire to teach, then it should not be an issue.

I fully agree with traumaRUs that an MSN/MBA would offer the most options, but that is a LOT of extra coursework. It all depends on your end goal and how much time you want to put into this.

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Do you want to manage nurses, or do you want to manage entire healthcare institutions? If the former, probably the MSN, since from what I've read requirements are moving towards needing that MSN even if you've already got an MBA (the MBA markets are pretty saturated). If the latter, consider getting an MHA (Master of Health Administration) degree. It's a terminal professional degree, and depending on the program you choose, can prepare you for a career in hospital administration.

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