After serving nine years as a registered nurse in the U.S. Air Force, Maeve Linder (MBA 2024) knew she wanted to build on her clinical experience and step into a leadership role in the business side of healthcare. The challenge was finding a graduate program that was both flexible enough to fit around a demanding schedule and rigorous enough to make the transition worthwhile. The Hybrid MBA at the University of Washington Foster School of Business proved to be the perfect fit. The program, which is 90% delivered online, helped her combine her passion for patient care with her growing business expertise.
Linder, who is now based in Birmingham, Alabama, works in post-market surveillance at a leading medical technology company. She spoke with Foster about her career path, how the program supported her through a transition from bedside nursing to business, and the lessons she carries into her work today.
Can you tell us a little about your background before the Hybrid MBA program?
Before starting the MBA program, I was a registered nurse in the U.S. Air Force. After separating from the military, I continued working as a bedside nurse on the civilian side of healthcare. I loved caring for patients, but I wanted to broaden my horizons and eventually move into a corporate role in the medical device industry.
The values Maeve Linder honed in the Air Force continue to guide her work as a Foster Hybrid MBA graduate in medical technology.
What drew you to the Foster MBA program?
I knew I needed to build business knowledge and credibility to make that transition. The Foster Hybrid MBA program stood out right away. We were living in Olympia, Washington, and with a baby at home, I needed something flexible but still high-quality. The hybrid structure gave me the best of both worlds: I could study remotely most of the time while still engaging in in-person interactions and networking, which I viewed as a crucial part of the MBA experience. It just felt meant to be.
You had your eye on the medical device industry. What inspired that goal?
As a nurse, I was already familiar with my current company because I used their products and saw how well they worked. Their reputation for quality and innovation really impressed me, and all my interactions with their sales reps were fantastic.
I also knew I didn’t want to do bedside nursing forever; shift work is tough when you’re a mom, especially night shifts. I had a stronger desire to lead in a business setting than in a hospital setting, so the medical device industry felt like the right fit. I could work in a corporate environment and use my clinical background in a different way. I knew the MBA could help me make that transition.
How did having a clear career goal shape your experience in the MBA program?
I definitely came in with a vision. While I knew I wanted to move into the medical device field, I also tried to stay open-minded. One of my favorite aspects of the program was learning about the various paths my classmates were pursuing. You realize how many opportunities exist that you might never have thought about. I let myself just enjoy the experience, learn as much as I could, and not treat it as a mere stepping stone to a specific job.
Were there any classes or professors that made a lasting impact?
Absolutely. Coming from a nursing and military background, I had significant knowledge gaps in business finance and accounting. Classes such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, and finance, taught by Professor Lance Young, were especially valuable for me. They filled in areas I’d never been exposed to before. I also really enjoyed learning global strategy because it opened my eyes to how international business works and how interconnected everything is.
Professor Lance Young brings financial strategy to life in the classroom. Maeve Linder highlights his finance and accounting courses as among the most valuable parts of her Foster Hybrid MBA experience.
What challenges did you face during the program, and how did you manage them?
There were a few! I actually moved across the country—from Washington to Alabama—between my first and second year, all while caring for my young daughter. Thanks to the program’s structure, I didn’t have to pause or transfer to another school. I could keep going, and I even looked forward to the quarterly trips back to Seattle.
The flexibility of the hybrid format made all the difference. And my team was incredibly supportive when life got hectic.
Were you working while completing your MBA?
Yes, I worked full-time throughout the entire program. It was a lot to juggle, but it was also extremely rewarding. I could apply what I was learning right away in real-world situations. Balancing work, school, and parenting wasn’t easy, but the program design made it possible.
How did you land your current role?
Honestly, it was a bit of luck and good timing. I was still working as a bedside nurse when I started the program. I came across a job posting and applied, then interviewed, and ultimately secured the position. It was the right opportunity at the right time, and having the MBA in progress helped make me a stronger candidate.
What does your work involve, and how does your nursing background come into play?
I work in post-market surveillance within a division that focuses on nursing care products, including patient turning and positioning devices, as well as infection prevention supplies.
My nursing background helps me communicate directly with nurses and patients about their experiences with our products. I use that insight to represent the voice of the customer within the business, combining my clinical understanding with my MBA training to make sure patient and user feedback is heard and acted upon effectively.
How did the MBA program prepare you for success in a corporate environment?
The team-based structure of the program was a huge help. You work with the same group for two years, which mirrors a workplace setting. You learn how to collaborate, communicate, and resolve conflict in healthy, productive ways.
Since so much of the program was remote, I also became more proficient at working virtually. I developed skills such as communicating clearly in emails, knowing when to use Teams, and presenting information visually. Those skills have translated directly to how I collaborate with my team at work now.
MBA Career Services was another significant advantage. My Foster career counselor, Susie Buysse, helped me articulate my nursing and military background in corporate terms. Nursing careers are structured differently, so learning how to describe my experience and goals in a business context was incredibly valuable.
What advice would you give someone who’s considering the Foster MBA?
I’d tell them that the University of Washington and the Foster School of Business offer everything you need to get the most out of an MBA: excellent faculty, strong career services, and an incredible alumni network. The program’s flexibility allows you to pursue your goals even when life is busy. For me, it was truly a transformative experience that continues to help me grow.
Maeve Linder and the Foster Hybrid MBA Class of 2024 cohort at orientation. The program’s close-knit community and collaborative learning environment helped her transition from military nursing to a career in medical technology.
Foster’s Hybrid MBA is a two-year program that combines the flexibility of online coursework with quarterly in-person immersions in Seattle, creating a close-knit community of working professionals. With instruction from nationally recognized faculty, the program equips students to advance their careers while balancing work, life, and learning.