Page 42 - February 2017

H EALTHCARE E DUCATION

Take the Lead in Getting Your BSN Important As Ever

Healthcare Administration A report released in 2010 by the Institute of Medicine
and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recommended
A degree in health services administration can help you open doors to positions with- that 80% of all registered nurses hold a Bachelor of
in the healthcare sector. Science in Nursing (BSN) by 2020. This new shift in the
Students can earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in health services United States comes from various studies which have
administration at Florida International University (FIU). The programs are taught by shown a positive outcome for patients, healthcare organ-
dedicated and committed faculty that bring real-world experience and will academically izations and the nursing community.
prepare graduates to qualify for positions in management and leadership within a Better Care: Nurses with a BSN provide higher quality
healthcare organization up to and including executive positions such as a CEO. healthcare. In the Journal of the American Medical
FIU’s Master of Health Services Administration provides students with a state-of-the- Association (JAMA), Dr. Linda Aiken and her colleagues
art academic plan focused and designed to prepare students for executive level positions identified a correlation between higher levels of nursing
within a healthcare organization. education and better patient outcomes. In addition, hos-
“The undergraduate program has been very strong and growing which is why we felt pitals that hire more nurses with BSN degrees have a
it was in the best of interest of our students to then offer this master’s program to accom- decreased risk of patient death and repeat visits because
pany it,” says HSA Program Director, Sal Barbera. Earning your masters in health serv- BSN graduates offered better care. BY DR. LINDA
ices administration degree at FIU offers students several distinct advantages over other More Options, Happier Employee: A higher level of WASHINGTON
academic centers, notes Barbera. Students at FIU understand the academic requirements education may be essential in stabilizing the workforce.
they must consider to pursue a career in health services administration. According to a study led by Dr. Betty Rambur published in Nursing Outlook, nurses with
Any student who wants to pursue a career in health services administration needs to a BSN generally had a higher level of job satisfaction and a wealth of possibilities for
complete their formal education as soon as they are able, recommends Barbera. career advancement in supervising roles within pediatrics, gynecology, oncology, hospice,
“I tell students all the time - you know a master’s degree is essential to advance in this and more.
field and what I recommend is to get it as soon as possible because you never know what Replacing Highly Experienced Workers: Hospitals also face a looming problem:
you’re going to be dealt with in life,” he says. “The sooner you can get your academic retirements. More than half a million experienced nurses will retire, according to the
preparation done, it’s done. Also, with a master’s degree, there’s no cap on where you can American Nurse Association. Administrators face a dilemma: hire non-BSN nurses but
go - even being a CEO of a hospital or healthcare system. So you can keep climbing the risk lower patient care and gaps in leadership or choose to hire from the small pool of
ladder. Once you get into a healthcare organization, then it’s all up to you and how well BSN nurses and fight to recruit them away from other, viable job openings.
you perform, but the master’s can help put you into that position.” Now is the time to return to school and secure a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The
Barbera expects the field of health services administration to continue to evolve over RN-to-BSN program at Broward College is an affordable, quality education that has been
the next decade further fueling a need for degrees in this field. a reliable resource for providers like Memorial Healthcare System and the North Broward
The FIU Master of Health Services Administration program prepares students for Hospital District hospitals. In the classroom, in the lab, in the field and in the community,
executive leadership positions in healthcare organizations. Earn your master's degree in our RN-BSN program is all-encompassing.
24 months through our hybrid program delivered both online and on campus. Acquire
valuable skills through coursework focused on finance, operations, marketing, manage- Don’t wait: the application deadline to enter the BSN program for Fall 2017 is April 30.
ment, quality assessment and information technology of healthcare institutions. The Those interested in advancing their career and want more information on our RN-BSN program
program culminates with an administrative residency or master's research project. can contact Dr. Linda Washington, associate dean and professor of nursing, at
To learn more about the program, visit MHSA.fiu.edu. lwashing@broward.edu or (954) 201-6932.

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42 February 2017 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News