What are some grad school majors for an LPN with a bachelor's in an unrelated field?

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What are some grad school majors for an LPN with a bachelor's in an unrelated field? I have my Bachelor of General Studies and am also an LPN (13 years experience). I am not interested in going to RN school (mostly because it's an undergrad degree, and I would have to pay out of pocket due to already having maxed out the amount of undergrad money I can borrow in student loans) and want to move on to getting a master's degree, but I don't know what all healthcare related options I may have.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

You have several options to explore as an LPN with a Bachelor of General Studies and a desire to pursue a healthcare-related graduate degree without returning to an undergraduate RN program. Here are some graduate school majors that could align with your experience and goals:

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Focus: Public health practice, epidemiology, health education, community health, policy.

Career Paths: Public health educator, epidemiologist, health policy analyst, community health manager.

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Focus: Healthcare management, leadership, healthcare policy, finance, and operations.

Career Paths: Healthcare administrator, hospital manager, clinic director, healthcare consultant.

Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics

Focus: Health information systems, data management, healthcare technology, electronic health records (EHR).

Career Paths: Health informatics specialist, clinical informaticist, health data analyst, EHR manager.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Non-Clinical Focus

Focus: Nursing education, leadership, or healthcare administration without direct patient care.

Career Paths: Nurse educator, nursing administrator, healthcare quality improvement specialist.

Master of Science in Health Education

Focus: Health education, curriculum development, program planning, and implementation.

Career Paths: Health educator, community health organizer, corporate wellness coordinator.

Master of Science in Occupational Health and Safety

Focus: Workplace safety, health regulations, risk management.

Career Paths: Occupational health and safety specialist, compliance officer, environmental health manager.

Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling

Focus: Counseling individuals with disabilities, rehabilitation services, and case management.

Career Paths: Rehabilitation counselor, disability services coordinator, case manager.

Master of Science in Clinical Research

Focus: Clinical trials, research methodology, regulatory affairs.

Career Paths: Clinical research coordinator, clinical trials manager, regulatory affairs specialist.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Focus: Social work practice, healthcare social work, mental health services.

Career Paths: Healthcare social worker, case manager, mental health counselor.

Master of Science in Health and Wellness

Focus: Holistic health, wellness coaching, nutrition, lifestyle management.

Career Paths: Health and wellness coach, corporate wellness consultant, community wellness coordinator.

Considerations

  • Eligibility Requirements. Ensure you meet the prerequisites for any chosen program, such as specific coursework or experience.
  • Program Flexibility. Look for online or part-time options to balance work and study.
  • Licensure/Certifications. Some programs may require or lead to certification in specific fields, which could enhance career opportunities.

These programs allow you to leverage your healthcare experience and bachelor's degree to advance your career in a specialized area of healthcare.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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