MBA vs MHA vs MSN

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Specializes in Dialysis/Vascular Access Creation.

I have recently been considering going back to school to make advancements into more leadership/management roles in my career. I've been looking into WGU's Masters degrees for nursing leadership and 3 are being offered: MSN in Leadership and Management, Masters in Healthcare Administration, and MBA in Healthcare Management. I believe the average timeframe of completion for both the MHA and MBA are 1 year while the MSN is 2 years.

How do these differ from one another in career opportunities/advancement?

What roles/titles will I have access to as it pertains to each degree? 

3 Answers

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I would say that a BSN with either an MHA or MBA is ROUGHLY equivalent to an MSN in Leadership as far as opportunities. IMO the MSN will open a few more doors of opportunity for you. But the MHA or MBA would TEACH you more about being a manager than the MSN would. 

Specializes in MICU, CCU, CVICU, Medical/Surgical, Nursing Admin.

I think this is dependent on what you see yourself doing in the future. If you see yourself staying in nursing management, then a MSN in Leadership is fine. You will learn a lot about leadership, nursing budgeting, and policy. If you want to move to a more executive nursing leadership role or see yourself leading disciplines outside of nursing, then having a MHA or MBA would be beneficial. The MBA will teach you a lot about finance and strategy. I hear the MHA is preferred for more hospital leadership, like CEOs/COOs. 
 

I personally went through the MSN leadership route and then went back for a MBA to get better competencies with hospital finances. 

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
NurseStephen said:

 You will learn a lot about leadership, nursing budgeting, and policy.

Unless WGU has changed their curriculum, I would say no, you won't.

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