Why I Went Back to School for My Master’s in Nursing

Why I Went Back to School for My Master’s in Nursing

I start Year 2 of my Nurse Practitioner program in September 2026 (8 months to go!) … and I have started reviewing my notes during this maternity leave. I have to re-learn my physical exam assessments, how to write notes and so much more. Getting back into studies also reminds me January is often when post-secondary schools open their application windows to apply for a program. I always get excited seeing people applying to these programs because I just know it will change their life. As an ICU educator, I helped answer questions nurses had about returning to school and thought I’d share my insights here.

When I was working as an ICU nurse, I made the decision to go back to school and pursue my master’s degree in nursing. At the time, colleagues would often ask me why bother… and it usually followed by, “Is it for a specific job?”

My answer was always the same:
No. I’m doing this out of self-interest.

I believed that having a graduate degree could only ever open doors. It could never take anything away.

I was also watching peers step into management and leadership roles that required a master’s degree. Many of them were learning a demanding new role while simultaneously grinding through graduate school. It looked exhausting… like the degree was a chore layered on top of everything else. I knew I didn’t want that experience.

Caveat… The only time this works is when the institution is funding your grad studies for your job which is an amazing opportunity.

I also had a sense of timing. I thought about my future - kids, family life, competing priorities - and realized my mid-20s felt like the right window to do this kind of heavy lifting. I chose a program that worked with my ICU schedule, gave me flexibility, and even allowed me to travel while completing my degree.

Financially, it wasn’t ideal. Graduate school is expensive, and it felt like a big commitment at the time. But I viewed it as an investment. And in hindsight, the return on that investment was real. I was able to access better jobs, roles with more autonomy, and positions with greater earning potential.

Other things I did to finance my studies:

1. I have always been a saver and started contributing to a savings account very early (teens). This allowed me to invest in my education in my 20s. This little nest egg helped narrow the gap in choosing my studies a little easier.

2. I saved a few hundred dollars from every pay cheque towards my studies.

3. I applied to every grant, award, scholarship or opportunity I could find to support my studies.

4. I did one course at a time. This allowed me to work full time but also slowly chip away at my Master’s program. I also travelled while studying which was fun!

What I didn’t fully appreciate at the time was how much the education itself would shape me.

My master’s degree completely changed how I think. I learned how to critically read research, how to question systems, how to evaluate evidence instead of just accepting it. I developed a deeper understanding of the patient experience. I learned how qualitative and quantitative research is conducted—and how to assess the quality of existing literature in a meaningful way.

Those skills have followed me into every role since.

Now, years later, I’m completing my post-master Nurse Practitioner diploma. It’s a two-year program, and while it’s still demanding, it’s significantly more manageable because I already laid the foundation years ago.

Looking back, I didn’t realize just how valuable that master’s education would be—not just for career advancement, but for how I practice, think, lead, and advocate.

So if you’re a nurse wondering whether going back for your master’s is “worth it,” my answer is simple:

Yes. Unequivocally.

It opens doors you don’t even know exist yet—and gives you tools you’ll use for the rest of your career.

If you’re a nurse quietly wondering whether you should go back to school—this is your sign. You don’t need a perfectly mapped-out career plan. You just need curiosity, timing, and the willingness to invest in yourself. Choose the path that gives future you more options, not fewer.

And if you’re earlier in your nursing career and have questions—about timing, programs, finances, or balance—reach out to someone who’s walked the path (like me). I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned, because nursing is better when we lift each other forward.

Photo by Sarah Froo on Unsplash