3 answers
Mia
Student
New Britain, Connecticut
1
Question
Asked
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What is the best thing to major in if you want to become a Health Administrator?
Would majoring in nursing and minoring in business be too much to handle while working a job?
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3 answers
Ashley Lowe
College Instructor/Clinical Coordinator
62
Answers
Minnesott Beach, NC
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
If your end goal is Health Administration, the most direct majors are:
Healthcare Administration
Health Services Management
Public Health
Business Administration (with a healthcare focus)
Those degrees are designed specifically for leadership, operations, budgeting, policy, and management roles in healthcare systems.
Now, could you major in nursing and minor in business? Yes. But you need to ask yourself why. Nursing is a clinical degree designed to prepare you to care for patients directly. It’s rigorous, time-intensive, and includes demanding clinical hours. If you don’t actually want to practice as a nurse, it may not be the most efficient route.
Is it “too much” while working? Honestly, nursing alone while working can be challenging. Adding a business minor would significantly increase your workload. It’s doable if you’re extremely disciplined and have strong time management, but it’s not the light path.
That said, some health administrators do come from clinical backgrounds (nursing, respiratory therapy, etc.), and that hands-on experience can be valuable in leadership roles. But it’s not required.
If your passion is leadership, systems, policy, and improving how healthcare runs, go the administration/business route.
If you want clinical experience first and maybe move into leadership later, nursing could make sense.
The key is choosing the path that aligns with your long-term goal, not just what sounds impressive.
Healthcare Administration
Health Services Management
Public Health
Business Administration (with a healthcare focus)
Those degrees are designed specifically for leadership, operations, budgeting, policy, and management roles in healthcare systems.
Now, could you major in nursing and minor in business? Yes. But you need to ask yourself why. Nursing is a clinical degree designed to prepare you to care for patients directly. It’s rigorous, time-intensive, and includes demanding clinical hours. If you don’t actually want to practice as a nurse, it may not be the most efficient route.
Is it “too much” while working? Honestly, nursing alone while working can be challenging. Adding a business minor would significantly increase your workload. It’s doable if you’re extremely disciplined and have strong time management, but it’s not the light path.
That said, some health administrators do come from clinical backgrounds (nursing, respiratory therapy, etc.), and that hands-on experience can be valuable in leadership roles. But it’s not required.
If your passion is leadership, systems, policy, and improving how healthcare runs, go the administration/business route.
If you want clinical experience first and maybe move into leadership later, nursing could make sense.
The key is choosing the path that aligns with your long-term goal, not just what sounds impressive.
Hassan Al
Product Management Professional
440
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Hassan’s Answer
Online research says these majors:
Healthcare Administration/Management which should best prepare for the job
Business Administration will covers some key areas like accounting etc. that may help
Public Health may cover some subjects that employers seek
I'd start by looking on job sites for the exact job that interest you and see what requirements they list. That should give you a good idea of what degrees and majors will give you the best chances of landing such a job.
Healthcare Administration/Management which should best prepare for the job
Business Administration will covers some key areas like accounting etc. that may help
Public Health may cover some subjects that employers seek
I'd start by looking on job sites for the exact job that interest you and see what requirements they list. That should give you a good idea of what degrees and majors will give you the best chances of landing such a job.
Katie Millians
Risk & Quality Leader
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Hi Mia! You can approach Healthcare Administration through multiple paths including having a clinical and business background. I have also seen individuals have an Industrial Engineering background. I personally have an undergrad degree in business with a focus in healthcare operations and did multiple internships in college for real world experience. It is important to research grad schools that are linked into the healthcare community and have focuses and rigger to the education at the masters level. Master level can be a MSHA, MBA, MHA, MPH, etc.