WSU's DNP in Leadership Innovation VS MHA

[ilum3]

Hello Allnurses!

I'm in a dilemma career-wise. I'm staring down two paths: the MHA and a DNP in Leadership 

Context: I'm looking into the Practice and Leadership Innovations DNP program at Winona State University in Minnesota and have completed most of the requirements needed. I'm drawn to leadership and would like an alternative to getting an MBA or MHA which is what most of my peers are going for. I'm not opposed to the MBA/MHA degrees; I just feel that the DNP leadership courses is highly specific to nursing administration.

The post-master's plan: https://www.winona.edu/graduatenursing/Media/PLI-PM-DNP-Two-Year-Plan-of-Study.pdf

My question: do you know of anyone who has completed this program and successfully gotten job offers post-graduation as a result of doing this program? Meaning, did this program move the needle at all, made the applicant more desirable? Or, is this a waste of time and money; the applicant would be desirable anyway given the right experience and skills? I'm concerned that this program is "skinny" on actual running of a hospital, that I won't actually love it, and that I'll be stuck with a glorified DNP. 

2nd choice: I'm also looking at the executive MHA at the University of Minnesota because I feel the curriculum is more focused on strategy and actual running of a hospital. I've compared the courses side-by-side and it's more business/operations heavy than Winona's program.

Executive MHA plan of study: https://www.sph.umn.edu/sph-2018/wp-content/uploads/docs/curriculum-sheet/umn-sph-curriculum-executive-master-of-healthcare-administration.pdf

My question: Although more focused on the business side of healthcare, I wonder if it'll be better to just go for an MBA instead. With an MBA, I'll be more marketable and work in multiple markets that affect healthcare. Am I overthinking this?

Really looking forward to your responses, guys! Thank you in advance!

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

What is your experience as a nurse, and how long? What are you really wanting to do with the degree? 

[ilum3]

6 minutes ago, Hoosier_RN said:

What is your experience as a nurse, and how long? What are you really wanting to do with the degree? 

Great question! I have 5+ years in general. 

2 years Med Surg/IMC/Tele + Charge exp
2 years High risk Postpartum + Charge exp
1 year Administrative Nursing Supervisor

Ultimately, I see myself as a consultant working with academic medical centers, stand alone clinics, health systems, etc developing plans to optimize delivery of care and leading employees in the fast-changing world of healthcare.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

1 hour ago, ilum3 said:

Ultimately, I see myself as a consultant working with academic medical centers, stand alone clinics, health systems, etc developing plans to optimize delivery of care and leading employees in the fast-changing world of healthcare.

If I'm reading you right, I would think the MBA wouldn't be as helpful as the MHA, as the MHA is more focused on healthcare. That's the route I would take