MSN or MBA

Specialties Management

Published

Hello,

I am a 5 year RN with a BSN. I have been in the ER my entire career, and have progressed from staff RN to mostly charge RN. My latest job is a hybrid of charge RN with some actual authority and supervisor's role. I know I need to head back for a graduate degree, but which would suit me better for a continued career progression into ER manager and director positions?

Thanks in advance!

-Mark

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

It's great to know that so many colleagues are being proactive and preparing to become more effective Nursing leaders. However - I want to interject a caveat. An MSN is rapidly becoming THE minimal requirement for nursing leadership positions in most healthcare organzations. In larger organizations, Chief Nurse Executives frequently have doctorates.

Nurse leaders are responsible for establishing and maintaing environments that support nursing care... It's hard to do if you have only entry-level knowledge of what nursing is all about. This is undoubtedly connected to the Magnet initiative, but let's face it - an MSN is the graduate degree for our profession. Unless an MBA is focused on healthcare finance (such as an MSN/MBA) it is really not that valuable in healthcare these days -lots more MBA grads due to online programs & people trying to become more qualified for jobs.

I would also advise folks to explore graduate programs at your local schools. Most are very flexible, including online classes & tuition is a fraction of what the proprietary (investor owned) schools charge. The resultant degree provides an advantage if you want to pursue a doctorate at some point in the future.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Has anyone done the MSN from the university of Phoenix? Can you just do that or do you have to take a dual. I am still trying to decide if its necessary and would like to know if working full time as a nurse manager I will have the time to give to the work. Thanks in advance

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For those who are taking online MSN/MBA have you found any prejudice from your superiors against online programs? The online plan is great, but I would be concerned that if two applicants applying for a management posititon are compared side by side and one has an online degree the other a 'regular' degree that the online may be viewed as not as serious. Any thoughts?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in High Acuity / Emergency / Trauma.

from what i have heard they may raise an eyebrow to some online programs but as i understand it, university of phoenix has earned a reputation for doing an excellent job with creating highly qualified and knowledgeable professionals. if i am wrong call me out but i have heard great things about them. at this time i am seriously considering the online msn/mba hybrid program they offer. also, don't they offer online and traditional courses? would the degree earned specify the pathway by which the degree was earned?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok if I was a nurse recruiter/manager looking at 2 resumes. One from University of Pheonix and one from a local/state college, I would choose the applicant with the local/state college graduate degree over online degree any day, any time and without a doubt. Most senior recruiters and managers weren't brought up with the whole online-college-degree concept, and there are many scams out there (not that Pheonix is associated with them).... but still it gives people a subconscious/unconscious doubt in their mind. Anyways... simple psychology. Am I wrong? If you are the director or manager of the hospital... would you really hire a full time online graduate over a traditional graduate? Think about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Pan -- Tend to agree... all other factors being equal, which they never are.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment