Shannon McDonald

Double-Hoo and Second Year Darden student Shannon McDonald decided to pursue her Master of Business Administration (MBA) after spending a couple of years  working as a nurse in an emergency department. Her experience helped her realize she wanted to serve the healthcare system by combining the benefit of clinical skills, business intelligence, and leadership ability to create meaningful and lasting impact.

Q: What did you do after graduating from UVA? 

A: I worked in an level-I trauma emergency room, which has a tendency to exacerbate the underlying issues that the greater healthcare system is facing. 

Q: When you were an undergrad student, did you know that you wanted to go to graduate school or get an MBA? 

A: A mentor at the nursing school actually suggested that I look into MBA programs – he recognized that I had a strong interest in both the micro and macro scope of healthcare and had an inclination for the leadership and policy aspects of the system. I didn’t pursue the deferred admission program at the time, but he helped to plant the idea and it was something I considered as I finished school and began my nursing career.

Q: What made you decide to return to school for your MBA?

A: I oftentimes felt stuck because I wasn’t able to help patients’ lives in the way that I wanted. Not because of lack of clinical skill or knowledge, but because of systematic and political barriers that prevent clinicians from changing key issues in healthcare. There are plenty of talented clinicians and savvy businesspeople working in healthcare, but I most admire those who have a perspective from both sides and who can strike a harmonious balance to create effective change.

Q: Why Darden?

A: I was drawn to Darden because of the Case Method and the impact that learning through the Socratic Method can have. Learning to think out loud before the answer is fully formed can be a bit scary, but it has allowed me to grow exponentially. I did consider attending a business school with a healthcare focus, but ultimately decided against it in order to gain a wider perspective. There are so many industries and principles that are relevant to the healthcare system, and staying in the healthcare track would have limited my vision. Similarly, if I had pursued a Masters in Public Health, my perspective would have been confined to just healthcare. 

Despite having a non-traditional background, I do feel up to par with my classmates. I’m able to share a unique perspective with them, and I feel that my insights and experiences are valued.

Q: What advice can you share with UVA undergrads (and nurses!)?

A: Getting an MBA provides so many opportunities, especially by expanding your network. 

Make it a priority for yourself to keep in mind ways to grow purposefully in your career. Nursing gives you a great foundation to go anywhere – own that power and influence to be empowered to create the change you envision.