In today's fast-paced managed care arena, nurses seeking management positions need to hone a competitive edge. One strategy for the truly driven is to earn master's degrees in both nursing and business. My MS in nursing administration provided me with a more sophisticated understanding of nursing as a science and practice discipline. I need both perspectives to do my work well. It shows you have ambition, perseverance, are a self-starter, and it opens up job opportunities.
Savvy nurses understand that business is now an integral part of nursing care.
As revenues shrink, cost is as important as quality. Today, hospital nurse managers frequently direct multiple units, with all the financial and supervisory responsibilities this entails. Nurses are competing with those from other backgrounds for these positions. For instance, two of the six administrators of regional ambulatory care centers in a Baltimore-area HMO are nurses. Others are opting to become entrepreneurs, providing case management, continuing education, or management consulting.