Which degree to get?

[kittiesareus]

I currently work in a inpatient mental health unit. i have worked here for a year right out of school. I absolutely love it, however I would like to get my bachelors degree. I can't decide what is best, here are my three options a BSN, a BA in psychology, or a BA in healthcare management. I do like the other areas of nursing such as the medical stuff but psych is my passion. On the other hand I wouldn't mind going into the management aspect, but if I had a BSn I could work anywhere. Also, I have been researching online programs does anyone recommend any? What am I to do???

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

In my area, most of the psych facilities prefer an RN with a BSN. They might be willing to work out exceptions for RN's with a BA/BS in other fields, but I think BSN is your best bet. The BSN will also open up leadership opportunities for you as well. If you decide later to strictly pursue healthcare administration, you'll likely want to go back to school anyway for an MHA or MBA.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

All other things being equal, get the BSN. It is best to have the most education in the area you will be working in. I have an ADN with a BA in psychology. I got the former degree because all the latter got me was a series of dead-end desk jobs. Bachelor's degrees in social sciences are a dime a dozen, and they don't qualify you for much.

I don't believe that I have suffered much profesionally for my degree path (my first nursing job was a charge position in a hospital), but I would have gotten a BSN had it been practical at the time I went to school.

[CharlieRN]

I agree BSN is best for diversity of job paths and immediate finanacial reward. The BA pcych is a loser, we seek those for jobs as "mental health workers", read that as psych nurse's aids. The BA in psych health admin I don't know about but everyone in serious admin positions has a masters, usually MBA