Registered nurse earns MHA and MSN while working in the operating room

When Seon Lee first arrived in the U.S. from Seoul, South Korea, he didn't imagine that one day he would be juggling two master's degrees while working in the operating room at a regional hospital.

Seon recently earned his master's of healthcare administration (MHA) from Minnesota State Moorhead and is on track to graduate with a master's of science in nursing (MSN) this upcoming fall.

During the day, Seon works as a registered nurse at Essentia Health where he prepares operating rooms, supports the surgical team, and helps ensure each procedure runs smoothly and safely for patients.

Seon chose Moorhead for the academic programs and for the people. When he was navigating a complex admission situation, Moorhead stood out as the only institution willing to go the extra mile. Faculty and staff helped him continue his studies while working full-time in healthcare. "They didn't just see me as a student — they saw me as a whole person," he says.

Despite teaching online courses, professors, like Jitendra Singh, Brandi Sillerud, Alicia Swanson, Tracy Wright and Jim Sterling are on top of students' questions and concerns.

"They are always asking for what I need to succeed, and replying very quickly to my emails," Seon says.

One of his favorite parts about the master's in healthcare administration program is how customizable it is. The program offers a unique blend of courses that allow students to shape their path between a business and deeper healthcare focus.

"As a nurse, we often just focus on patient care," Seon says. "But now I understand the business decisions behind it, like staffing, budgeting, even marketing. It helped me see the big picture."

Seon preparing an operating room

That expanded perspective came to life during his healthcare administration practicum. Seon was invited by his director and mentor at Essentia Health to participate in the planning of operating room(s) expansion. Seon attended meetings with hospital leaders, reviewed designs, and learned firsthand what it takes to open a surgical suite from the ground up.

"It was a real-life experience, and I was able to utilize what I learned from MSUM," Seon says.

Beyond the classroom and operating room, Seon also got involved in study abroad opportunities. He went to Ireland, Germany, and Scotland, and learned how different countries implement public healthcare systems.

"Seeing how other countries approach healthcare made me think differently about how we care for people here," he says.

Looking ahead, Seon feels prepared to take the next step into healthcare leadership. And he credits Moorhead for making it possible.