Should I Go to Nursing School or Get an MBA in Healthcare?

Do I Want to Work Directly with Patients?A person who graduates from nursing school will go to work as a nurse in a hospital, private physician's office or other medical facility. As an example, working as a registered nurse allows the person to deal directly with patients. A registered nurse takes a patient's vital signs, dispenses medicine, cleans patients' wounds and assists the doctor in his or her examinations. Whether a nurse works in the emergency room of a hospital or in a pediatrician's office, the professional deals with patients in a hands-on way. A person who wants to pursue an occupation in the healthcare field that allows him or her to have one on one time with patients of all kinds would be a good candidate for nursing school. Do I Want to Work on the Business Side of Healthcare? Someone who is thinking about getting an MBA and working in the healthcare field should know that this degree will lead to work that relates to the business side of healthcare. Instead of dealing directly with patients like a nurse, a person with an MBA may find work as a hospital administrator. This person manages a hospital's budget, acquires the equipment for medical staff, handles personnel matters and other administrative duties. A hospital administrator works behind-the-scenes to make sure a hospital is offering first-rate services to patients. Someone who wants to use his or her business skills in the area of healthcare would likely be more suited to earning an MBA. The Rewards of Nursing Work There are personal and professional rewards for someone working on either the nursing side or the business side of healthcare. A person working as a nurse may really love helping patients and making them comfortable during a difficult time in their lives. Also, the nurse may be intrigued by the science behind different medications and surgical procedures. The work of a nurse can be very invigorating for someone dedicated to his or her field. The Rewards of Working on the Business Side of Healthcare A person working as a hospital administrator or in a related job within a healthcare may love figuring out the details of a hospital's budget. The person may get a sense of satisfaction after getting the hospital staff a new piece of modern medical equipment. He or she may feel proud of being able to handle the daily tasks of a highly-reputable hospital. Finally, in order to find the answer to the question, a person must evaluate his or her talents and preferences when it comes to working in healthcare. The good news is that there are rewards to be found in both career options.