Time For A Career Leap - MBA to RN

[MBAinMI]

Currently, I have a MBA (2 years old) and with it, a 3.7 GPA that frankly doing little of nothing to achieve the salary I need to make. Facing the Mid-Career age, I'm beginning to strongly feel it might be time for a Career Leap.

For me, considering a career in nursing is not new, per say. Originally (years prior) the was a career goal. However, being a young mother with two children and desiring to make the time spend on public assistance short as possible -- I took a turn into the Correctional Science Field. Had a job in 18 months flat after the A.A.S. Degree, and that was that....

Until, five years later -- I made a decision to enter the corporate world where I thought "falsely" for some reason, the treatment would be better than at the institution (i.e. environment, fellow staff and of course -- no prisoners -- so I thought LOL).

From there, I moved in two years into the Telecommunications Management area and LOVED IT. Fast pace -- a bit of a overachiever, meeting monthly metrics and goals was as easy as pie -- especially after I hired a great sales team.

Finished my Bachelors of Business Administration. Stayed in this field for seven years until my beloved Father and both Grandmothers (Paternal and Material) passed in a four month span. After which, I was lost. Really, truly -- to say the very least.

Took a buyout from my last employer and did nothing of substance for about three years.

About that time, I heard that my former alumni had started a Graduate Assistant program. If accepted, the graduate program would be at a 90% tuition reimbursement rate and a small stipend to cover the 10%. I jumped in both feet first. Considering the fact I had not been working in the area which was my second career field, for then three years.

Finished the program (accelerated of course) in 18 months flat. Achieved the 3.7 GPA.

Thought the future was bright -- then reality of ageism crept in. In other words, to Educated for certain jobs, not "young enough" for others.

Finally, got a job -- well under IMHO - what my MBA should have resulted in salary. Then was laid off five months later for basically knowing more about how to manage then my "younger, ultra male ego" boss.

So, at this point after doing a SWOT analysis on my career aspirations at this point -- the conclusion is its time to make a change, and go back to what my intentions were many years ago to be a RN.

Sorry about the long-winded nature of my writing -- its the MBA in me.

So, here are my questions:

1). Would it be better to consider an Post Bachelors (and Masters) Accelerated RN to BSN program with the MBA as a backdrop?

2). Can programs taken in the MBA Coursework (as the Major was Organizational Development - Heavy Psych, Legal Ethics and Sociology based coursework) count for the Psych, Ethnics and Sociology for the Pre-Nursing Requirements?

3). Where, if anywhere, can my Graduate and Undergrad Stats courses count in for the basic Algebra req?

4). I did well in Biology Courses in High School (long time ago I know) but took Biology and Advanced Bio with A & B's for grades. Will any of this prior knowledge (although long termed away from the present day) help with the Bio and Anatomy Science Courses. Will this help?

5). Think I can get past the Chemistry courses (although math was not my strongest subject in High School -- Undergrad Accounting, Economics and Stats -- plus another time on the graduate level -- has definitely helped my math skills). Same as question 4 - will this help?

6). Should I just see about ADN programs and will ADN's plus the MBA help for future aspirations to be a Health Care Administrator, open a Private Care Duty Practice or branch into the Direct Care Business with Disabled Clientele?

7). If I was to go the Accelerated BSN option, can one receive any financial aid, scholarships (grants are out of the question with the MBA) to assist with personal financial matters (food, shelter, vehicle of any sort that runs) -- since I'm hearing working more than P/T 15 hours a week while doing this type of program is completely out of the question?

Thanks, in advance.

MBAtoRNinMI

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

To answer your question as succinctly as possible; obtain at least a BSN, and/or preferably a MSN.

You will find much more limitation in the nursing field without at least a BSN.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Have you invested the time in shadowing a nurse for a couple of shifts? I don't get the sense that you know what we DO. It can be eye-opening, and I think you need that before changing direction again.

[RiskManager]

As a healthcare administrator, I have a couple of comments:

• You should only consider going the RN route if you have a passion to provide hands-on care to patients. Can you honestly say you have that?
  
• At the mid-career stage, you will be surprised as to the starting salary for a new RN without clinical experience. You will be making considerably less than your previous employment.
  
• There are many healthcare administrative jobs that do not require any clinical background or credentials. You are already ahead of the game in having a MBA. I wonder if you should first direct your attentions to that field. Noting your comments above, LTC is always looking for administrative talent.
  

[MBAinMI]

Thank you for the comment. Yes, it could make sense to go into Healthcare as a Administrator, however, in MI its nearly impossible to do so without direct healthcare experience. Not sure why as the skill set: Finance, Accounting, Economics, Management - should be all that's required but -- it's likely to weed down potential applications.

According to the research to date - New RN's out of school make between $25-30 an hour locality -- or to be frank -- more than what made with the MBA at the moment. If -which is a possibly - a move to California is done after gaining the ADN or BSN - the median wage is $43.59. Of course Median is the middle and some are lower and higher - but again that median is more than what's made with the MBA as current.

As for Patient Care -- in the past while in college, I worked for a year and one-half as a CNA and in Direct Care. Reason that career field was switched was due to a then ridiculous "waiting list" -- like two to three years -- at the local community college for their nursing program.

Likewise, after speaking to a Nurse with over 30 years of experience, she suggested with the MBA and RN -- it is likely within two years or less with RN experience of course - I could switch into Healthcare Administration (not Nursing Administration as a MSN would be needed, and obtaining another Master's degree is not of interest at all).

MBAinMI

[RiskManager]

https://greatlakeschapterofache.wildapricot.org/ I suggest that you talk with some people in the Michigan chapter of ACHE. Most of my healthcare administration colleagues have a MBA or MHA and are in operating or financial roles; I see RN credentials and advanced or business degrees for the CNO, DON or other nursing administrative positions, but not so much outside of those positions.

[MBAinMI]

Thanks for the suggestion. Will do! :)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

If your goal is Nursing administration, you'll need an MSN & clinical experience/expertise. Generic MBAs are not nearly as valuable in healthcare as the specialty MBAs such as MBA/MSN or MBA/MHA. FWIW, if you noodle around here on AN, you'll discover that age-ism is also alive and well in nursing. Probably not to the extent in other more youth-oriented industries such as IT, but it does exist.

[MBAinMI]

The goal is not Nursing Administration as obtaining another Master's degree is not what's preferred. Organization, Operations and Finance Management, yes and the MBA is well suited for this with a possible ADN or BSN.

Also Nursing always provide an option for Private Duty Care to counteract the Ageism -- unlike many other industries. Lastly, the M.B.A. is concentrated in Organizational Development and is not just a run of the mill MBA.