RN to Healthcare Administration Question

elkpark · Dec 28, 2014

In my experience in acute care hospitals, most administration/management positions are considered Master's level (minimum) positions.

gett34 · Dec 28, 2014

You don't think employers might look at the fact I have a BSN and a 2nd bachelors degree in business management, instead of having the BSN and MBA?

I know these 2nd degree BSN program are relatively new and more popular than ever now, so maybe employers would understand?

happyinmyheart · Dec 28, 2014

For the most part I believe elkpark is right. It may definitely make employers look twice at you- But I definitely think that most of these positions are requiring a masters level degree for entry nowadays.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 28, 2014

In a hospital setting, you will likely need to get your master's degree (MSN is preferable to most places than an MBA if you're going into nursing leadership). However, out-of-hospital settings (home health, hospice, that type of thing) would probably love a BSN and business-related BS degree.

elkpark · Dec 28, 2014

What are you hoping employers "would understand"? It doesn't really matter how many baccalaureate degrees you have -- you could have eight or nine baccalaureate degrees, and that is not going to be considered the equivalent of a graduate degree if a position requires a graduate degree.

gett34 · Dec 29, 2014

I would hope they would understand that I have a business degree and I have a background in finance that would be beneficial in a position in healthcare management, where the main focus is making money. That's all.

I'm not really talking about nursing leadership positions or being a director of nursing etc. I mean more of a financial management position within a healthcare organization. I'm sorry I didn't specify that in my original post.

I appreciate the feedback from everyone. I know all situations and each job is a little different, but I just wanted to get a general idea.

elkpark · Dec 29, 2014

There may be some smaller organizations, nursing homes, home health agencies, etc., in which a baccalaureate degree would be sufficient. Best wishes!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2015

I would hope they would understand that I have a business degree and I have a background in finance that would be beneficial in a position in healthcare management, where the main focus is making money. That's all.
I'm not really talking about nursing leadership positions or being a director of nursing etc. I mean more of a financial management position within a healthcare organization. I'm sorry I didn't specify that in my original post.
I appreciate the feedback from everyone. I know all situations and each job is a little different, but I just wanted to get a general idea.

I don't think most financial managers within healthcare organizations are nurses, but are people who've spent their careers in finance.

I honestly don't think this second bachelor's will help you at all.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 1, 2015

I don't think most financial managers within healthcare organizations are nurses, but are people who've spent their careers in finance.
I honestly don't think this second bachelor's will help you at all.

I agree with your first point, but not your second.

I do think the business degree will help if he wants to go into nursing leadership for smaller companies like a home health or hospice company. If he wants to go into finance or business, however, I agree with you that most people who are in the finance or business departments of healthcare organizations are experts at finance and business, not necessarily healthcare.

My husband, the lucky bastard, has managed to be the CNO/director of nursing of a few different hospice and home health companies...all this with an ADN and lots of amazing experience. I am 5 months away from my MSN and he still makes $10K/year more than I. But he has acknowledged that with the path he is on, he will benefit from a business degree. When I'm done with my MSN, he has promised to finish his BSN and then he's considering doing a healthcare MBA.

twinsmom788 · Jan 22, 2015

I certainly would not bother with a degree in nursing if your goal is health care management. You can get a license as a nursing home administrator with a bachelors degree and then work on a masters in a field of your choice or go to law school at the same time ( part time).

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2015

I have a BA in Health Care Admin and an ADN. When I started at my current job, I thought the BA in HCA would at least help boost my pay, I was told it didn't matter in the least. So, maybe in a smaller facility, but don't get your hopes up too much. Seeing as you want to do floor nursing for a few years, you could always get your Masters during that time. Just a thought!