Going back to school for your master's degree in nursing (MSN) is a big decision. And not one to make lightly. It's worth taking real stock of where you are professionally and personally before you take the leap. Dr. Krista Estes, the Assistant Dean of Master’s Programs at the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing, gives you some signs that the timing might be right.
Work Is Starting to Feel Routine
This one sneaks up on people. You worked hard to feel confident in your role, and now that you're there, something feels like it's missing. You're curious about the "why" behind clinical decisions. You want more say in solving patient care problems. You're not just doing your job well; you want to do more.
That sense of wanting to grow beyond your current role is often the clearest sign you're ready.
Have a Good Balance
The decision to go back to school requires a lot of reflection and consideration of whether it fits with your current lifestyle. You should be in a place where you can balance work and life and everything else that goes along with earning a master’s degree. Do you have a support system? Can you carve out consistent time to study? You don't need a perfect schedule, but you do need enough margin to show up for the program and give it what it requires. Reflect and understand how your life might change while earning a degree.
Know What Going Back to School Looks Like
It's also worth knowing that graduate school feels different from your undergraduate experience. The learning is more self-directed. You're building on what you already know, and the expectation is that you drive your own growth. Time management, accountability, and intellectual curiosity aren't just nice to have; they're essential.
Think About Your RN Experience
You might hear someone say you need to be a registered nurse for two to three years before going back to school, but it’s different for everyone. It’s not just about how long you’ve practiced; time alone doesn’t define expertise. What matters just as much is the depth and breadth of your experience: the diversity of patients you’ve cared for, the complexity of situations you’ve faced, and the clinical judgment you’ve refined along the way.
I went back to school after one year of working, but it was because, prior to nursing school, I knew I wanted to be a nurse practitioner. While I was working, I worked in a surgical trauma intensive care unit and as a float nurse, so I was exposed to many different areas of a hospital. In my case, that experience mattered more than the number of years on paper.
If you have the opportunity to work in a specialty area that genuinely interests you before returning to school, take it. It can help you identify which master’s specialty to pursue — and just as usefully, which ones aren't for you.
Ask Questions
Advanced Practice Nursing has many specialties, so if you are interested in returning to school, talk to people in the role you want to see yourself in. Shadow several people to see how they work, and if you’re interested in different specialties, ask them questions. Why did you choose to work with adults? Why do you like primary care? Why do you love your job? What are some challenges you see in your role?
Reach out to your school of choice and talk to academic counselors or specialty directors to get a good feel for the program and what your career could look like after graduation. A good fit between you and a program makes a real difference in your experience and your outcomes.
Return to School for the Right Reasons
When I went back to school, I was intellectually driven and really wanted to learn more, be a critical thinker, and grow. There are things we see in people applying to the college’s master’s programs, no matter how many years of experience they have. These attributes would contribute to your success as a student.
Feeling burnt out at work or wanting a better schedule aren’t reasons to earn a master’s degree. Or if you’re feeling pressure from people saying ‘You should be an FNP’ and your heart just isn’t in it, don’t feel obligated to go back to school.
Signs You May Need to Hit Pause
There are some signs you may not be ready to go back to school yet. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by work or still lacking confidence in your decision-making, wait until you feel more comfortable. You also might realize you don’t have the time to devote to studying. It’s important that you recognize these signs and wait before returning to school.
And If You're Not Ready Yet, That's Okay
If you're still building confidence in your clinical decision-making, feeling stretched thin at work, or unsure you have the bandwidth, it's okay to wait. Recognizing that now is actually a sign of the kind of self-awareness that will serve you well when you do go back.
There's no universal right time. There's just the right time for you.
About the author: Dr. Krista Estes serves as the Assistant Dean of Master’s Programs and is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing. She actively practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner and previously held the role of Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty Director for eight years.
