What to get after MHA?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I am currently an assistant nurse manager of an ICU. I have my BSN, and I am halfway through with my MHA. I hope to advance to the manager level after I finish my graduate degree. I am already thinking about whether I want and/or need a doctorate level degree. I have heard that some hospitals, particularly those with Magnet recognition, prefer senior nursing leaders to have an advanced nursing degree vs a MHA or MBA. Is that true? Should I try to get a DNP in nursing administration? If so, are there any DNP programs out there that would take my MHA into consideration to help avoid redundant course work? Is a DNP worth the cost and time to make myself more marketable? Thanks!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I do not have enough knowledge to speak to your question about the DNP. But it is true that per Magnet, director and CNO level roles must be held by someone with a graduate level NURSING degree.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

OP: No worries.. Not all hospitals are buying into the magnet status/model. MHA, MBA, etc is still very much acceptable for RNs in management / leadership within senior level positions. My current CNO and the VP of a major nationally known hospital system have an MHA and the other an MBA... not an MSN or a DNP....

With that said, if you are looking at advancing your career in a magnet status hospital system, then get a degree that is required by that system. In fact, try getting them to pay for it or part of it so that it will not cost you as much.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I work for an ANCC magnet designated hospital system. Our CNO has an MHA and a NEA-BC which is a nurse executive certification program offered by ANCC. Previosly, I worked at a non-magnet institution that is large and well respected in the area. The CNO there has an MBA. The DNP is rather new and many of the nursing administration focused DNP are housed in "for profit" institutions that tend to not command that much respect overall. Personally, I think post-graduate fellowships can also help: Directory of Fellowships in Health Services Administration

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Specializes in ED.

I am new into management and have decided to go for a MHA in the fall rather than MSN. I did my BSN online and honestly felt like I did not learn anything that helped me become a better nurse, I was just jumping through the hoop of getting my BSN because I worked at a magnet facility. I am in a different magnet facility and after looking at the courses I feel like the MHA would help me more in my current position. I also feel like with the MHA, I have the option to leave a hospital and go to a management position in another sector of healthcare.

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