ENY wrote:
While I am considering the option of high-level hospital management (CNO, COO, CEO), I am much more interested in health care related VC, marketing, consulting, sales and managerial positions in pharma, biotech, managed care, insurance, devices, etc..Does my clinical background and scientific knowledge give me an edge in terms of b-school admissions and long term career options, or rather does it hurt me due to the general public's (and possibly admissions) misconception about the intelligence of those who go in to the nursing profession?
VC is dam near impossible to get into without either a banking/finance background OR a very long track record related to a specific field (say pharma R&D).
That said your background would be very unique and helpful when it comes to recruiting. As for getting into b-school, the fact it is unique would likely help, but not to a huge degree.
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Is my managerial experience applicable? In terms of my scientific scope of knowledge, I am particularly well studied in chemistry/physiology/microbiology/recombinant DNA tech. I also bring to the table intimate knowledge of the inner workings of hospital systems and an inside perspective on the dynamics among doctors, nurses, insurance/payors, medical devices, pharma, biotech, legislative matters, regulatory affairs, etc...Oh and I forgot to mention I save lives
Your management experience and experience on the business side of hospital management would be VERY valuable to future employers.
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Furthermore, I have several options in terms of a graduate degree and I am trying to choose wisely. I could get a dual degree, such as the one at Penn/Wharton, which is a MSN/MBA, but it is probably geared toward someone who mostly wants to do high-level hospital management, as the MSN is often a requisite for nurses in executive positions. I am apprehensive to do this because I feel as though it may be a watered down, illegitimate MBA. I believe the best route is a straight MBA with a health care concentration, because while I will still be eligible for many hospital executive positions, I will also be competitive in the business realm which is what I am leaning toward. I suppose my underlying question is: what do you think about an RN applying to top biz schools for an MBA? Will I be at an advantage or disadvantage? What are some of the most interesting, progressive and lucrative fields in the health care industry for top biz school grads? Note that I am nicely compensated and do not want to move laterally, but rather vertically. Thank you!
E
RF