Apprehension About Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by somegirl, Mar 3, 2012.

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  1. somegirl

    somegirl New Member

    Hi everyone. I attend a state university that offers an RODP program in Healthcare Administration. The degree I would graduate with would technically be called "Bachelor of Professional Studies in Healthcare Administration." So it's not even a B.A. or a B.S... it's a "BPS." :laughing:

    I'm taking three classes that are within the major this semester and one of the classes it the biggest load of bull I've ever heard. "Computers, Literature and the Internet" and it basically consists of evaluating websites and other ridiculous nonsense (there's people in that classes citing Wikipedia in their research papers... give me a friggin' break).

    I feel so much apprehension right now. I'm worried about how this degree will look on a resume. I'm not even sure if I will be happy in this line of work.. or what I will end up doing since I have virtually NO experience in healthcare. I'm very scared and worried I'm making the wrong decision. I don't feel proud telling people that this is what my major is and I'm embarrassed to say that it's an online program (even though it's through a state university). Something doesn't feel right.

    Have any of you completed a program similar to Healthcare Administration? What are your feelings about this major? I'm considering switching to something different and attending classes on campus and getting a B.A. in something I feel more passionately about.

    I'm looking forward to hearing your responses! Thanks in advance.
     
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Hi somegirl, welcome to Degree Info. You may be wondering why your posts don't show up right away: http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/35100-new-users-ask-where-did-my-posts-go.html

    I'm no expert in health care, but I understand that it is a field that will continue to grow and offer good job opportunities. The administration of health care seems to me to be quite important and something to be proud of. And..online education is also nothing to be ashamed of. The quality online programs are difficult and respectable. Moreover, since your degree comes from a state school, it's likely that there will be nothing on your diploma or transcripts to indicate that you did it online anyway.

    We have a number of members who work, or have worked in health care and I'm interested to know what they will say. But I say that there is nothing wrong with a BPS.
     
  3. major56

    major56 Active Member

  4. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    Take Your Credits and Run!

    You should take your credits and go to a program you'll feel better about. Otherwise, this program will haunt you! There's too many options these days to have to settle!
     
  5. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    I worked in the Healthcare field for 15 years; the end result is this: if you are not a doctor or a nurse you will always be taking orders from doctors and nurses.
     
  6. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    Pretty much! While I am insulated somewhat in Emergency Management, there is no doubt that RN's and MD's are the main attraction, the primary conduit of change, and the biggest impediment to any progress...then again you need em to take care of you! :)

    If your unhappy with the degree ditch it now forsomething else...general business maybe?
     
  7. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    We are talking about healthcare administration here! A degree in HCA and especially a graduate degree combined with experience can lead to a high paying career! I don't think these administrators are taking orders from RN's and MD's...they may have to listen to all their complaints though. The fact is, they can make more than most doctors running a hospital if that is your ultimate goal.
     
  8. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    Not to be argumentative, but in 15 years I saw two Chief Exective Officers sent packing because the local physicians did not like and/or agree with their management philosophy. And, if my sources are correct, the third one will bite the dust at the end of this month.
     
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    The problem seems to be with this course and its instructor, not whether it's online or not. But if you're not impressed, you should transfer. And if you're not sure you want to be a healthcare administrator, you shouldn't be majoring in it. You get one life, and that's it -- spend it doing what you actually enjoy.
     
  10. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    And I've seen countless MD's and RN's get terminated from Hospital administrators so what's your point?
     
  11. GoodYellowDogs

    GoodYellowDogs New Member

    As someone who has been in healthcare admin for over 25 years - Director, EVP, etc. I think the degree would be fine. Most healthcare organizations see the degree as an ability to set a goal and complete it. We have lots of people with degrees unrelated to healthcare.

    HOWEVER, if you aren't passionate about healthcare, it's a tough field to be in right now with all of the changing environment.
     
  12. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Insurance is another area where a health care degree might be useful.

    However if you are unsure about your future career I say go for a more general degree. For example a business degree will still get you a job in the administrative side of health care.
     
  13. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    Only the top 2 or 3 people in my organization approach the pay of the physicians. Only one of those is likely to be making more. Supervisors and managers (non-clinical) make pay that is more closely aligned with an RN. In fact our Security Manager, Bio-Med Manager, Emergency Manager, Joint Commission Compliance Officer, etc... don't really do much better than the average RN pay scale. I'm not knocking the degree...but it's no sure fire golden ticket. In fact top non-clinical management typically has an MBA here, the undergrad is not the deciding factor in selection nor pay. I don't believe any of the folks I would consider making "great pay" are resting solely on an undergrad degree in Health Care Management.


    LOL...I just noticed the OP hasn't had any activity since March and only has the one post. Hope we helped! :)
     
  14. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    This is precisely why I've stayed far away from any sort of healthcare type position. If I ever decided to make the jump to an RN or MD, then I would consider EM in the healthcare field.
     
  15. NorCal

    NorCal Active Member

    Ha Ha, my junior college MADE me take one of two courses in order to graduate:

    1. Computer Information Literacy (CIR 10)
    2. Library Information Resources- Study of the Dewey Decimal System (LIR 10)

    Due to scheduling difficulties, I was forced to take LIR 10 and everyday I was sitting in class doing this . . .:pat:

    I'd rather be told over and over that Wikipedia is not a creditable research site than to sit in class wondering who was the disconnected idiot who thought the study of the Dewey Decimal System should be a required class to graduate, lol.

    As for your debate regarding your major, my best friend was dealing with the same concerns. He opted for a Bachelors in Public Health as it could be used in both the public and private sectors.

    Good luck whatever you decide!
     
  16. BobbyJim

    BobbyJim New Member

    The following has little to do with YOU if you are reasonably sure that healthcare management is what you want to do long-term!

    I know a person with a BS Healthcare Management degree, and he is passionate about his landscaping business! He tells me he would likely never go back to healthcare management because it just wasn’t a fit for his desire to be active and spend more time outdoors. He considers the degree as a fallback qualification if he needs it later on in life.
     
  17. Petedude

    Petedude New Member

    I'm going to chime in with the hope it helps someone, even if the OP hasn't checked back in.

    I remember reading a blog post about "why you really didn't get that job" and the interesting thing about the end of that post was that at the end it said job seekers needed to prepare to "eat their cubic yard of manure".

    Unfortunately, there may be similar moments in your education as well-- you may need to sit through coursework that seemingly has little or no value in order to earn that diploma. Just do it, as Nike says. In the end, that diploma may pay off nicely and make the little hassles (such as less useful coursework) worthwhile.
     

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