MBA in healthcare

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Hi Everyone,

First I want to start of by saying how much I appreciate this site. It has been very supportive reading others experiences and comments. Thank you! and nurses are AWESOME!

Now, my question is, what are your thoughts on MBA in healthcare administration versus a MSN? I have 3 years of clinical bedside experience and have been a RN for 5 years. I have a BSN. I am torn between a MBA vs a MSN. I want the MBA because I can use it in the future should I want a career change.

All opinions are appreciated. :)

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

What are your career goals? What is your reasons for wanting a graduate degree?

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I want to pursue higher education because I want to continue to expand my knowledge and grow in my nursing career. Another reason for MBA- HCM is because I want more career opportunities in the future. I enjoy quality improvement, quality metrics, health education in the outpatient setting, third party payor payment, care manager side of nursing. I researched both the MSN and MBA and i like both. I know with the MBA I will work in the business side of healthcare, but the MSN does offer some of the things I am looking for. ( i rambled LOL) i hope to work as a Quality improvement RN specialist in the future in outpatient setting or for insurance companies. I would also like to teach healthcare management to future nursing students.

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Also, I must add i loved my time at bedside. I worked in fast paced units and floated around a big busy hospital. But because of the way healthcare is set up, I am turned off by bedside and want to a degree I can fall back on should I want to limit my patient care contact.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Many of the administrators I work with have both.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

If teaching nursing is in your future, you will need the MSN. But there are a number of MSN/MBA dual degree programs out there which might be your best bet.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I do wish more MSN programs offered at least *A* class on the business aspects of being a manager. Budget, productivity, etc.

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