MSN or MHA?

[MereSanity, BSN, RN]

I have a ton of experience as an RN, 14 years of college, and numerous certifications. Wanting my Masters degree (yeah, no masters yet). However, finding a preceptor will be almost impossible (long story). Thinking about an MHA instead of an MSN? Anyone try that route instead? 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Check employment offerings in your area. In PA, see many more ads for RN's with MBA rather than  MHA = Masters in Health Administration for advanced administrative positions.

[DRYnurse]

Depends primarily on what you are going to DO career-wise once you obtain your degree. I'll use myself as an example.

I resisted going back to school for years until I was approached by a previous colleague who wanted me to teach classes in his Master of Health Informatics (MHI) program—but I needed a master's myself before I could. Did lots of research and quizzed leaders in my organization. One in particular made abundant sense: the MHA credential is more versatile and allows you to do different things in healthcare, which require exposure to leadership and management skills. Think of, say, an opportunity to start and run a cath lab program at a small hospital. Meanwhile, if you think there's a chance you would next seek a DNP, or you wish to stay nearer the bedside, MSN makes sense.

Being in analytics, and motivated to teach in that realm, the MHA was an easy choice for me. Indeed, after a year I moved on from the MHI adjunct job to teaching at the same school where I got my MHA. I got to teach courses in IT, quality, finance, and health policy. I probably could not have done that with an MSN.

Good luck in your journey!