If you’re a nurse considering graduate school—or already enrolled and knee-deep in coursework—you’re not alone.
I’ve been through two rounds of grad school: first, earning my master’s in a direct-entry RN program, and later completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Health Innovation and Leadership. Over the years, I’ve talked to hundreds of nurses about their grad school experiences, both in 1:1 coaching and inside Change Maker Essentials.
And while everyone’s journey is unique, I’ve noticed some recurring mistakes that can make the grad school experience a lot harder than it needs to be. Whether you’re applying, deciding, or trying to survive the program you’re already in, let’s talk about how to avoid these pitfalls.
Mistake #1: Using Grad School as an Escape Route
Burnt out? Feeling undervalued? Bored and craving the next challenge? Grad school can seem like the obvious solution.
A lot of nurses see it as the perfect escape from bedside frustrations—a chance to start fresh and finally feel like their work matters. And sometimes, it is part of the solution. But without a clear personal vision, it can end up making things worse.
A personal vision is not a rigid five-year plan. It’s a destination—a sense of where you want to go in your career, even if the exact path to get there is flexible. Without this clarity, grad school can send you down a path that doesn’t actually align with what you want.
I once worked with a nurse who had already completed a master’s in education when she came to me, frustrated and unsure about her next steps. She had enrolled in the program thinking, “I like learning. I like helping others learn. Maybe this is the right path.”
But by the time she finished, she realized:
She didn’t actually like the work.
The program didn’t help her figure out what she did want.
She was left wondering if she had just wasted two years and $70K on a degree she wasn’t even sure how to use.
We worked together to clarify her personal vision and leverage her degree in a way that aligned with her long-term goals—but it would have been a lot easier if she had defined those goals before jumping into the program.
Before you enroll, ask yourself: Am I running away from something I don’t want, or toward something I’ve thought through?
If it’s the former, it’s time to pause and get clear on your personal vision first.
Mistake #2: Using Grad School to Fill a Need for Structure
Some nurses go back to school not because they need the degree, but because they crave structure, stability, and a sense of forward momentum.
That was the case for a client of mine—a highly successful healthcare entrepreneur who was scaling his business but struggling with the chaos of running a fast-growing company.
One day, he told me he was thinking about applying to an NP program.
On the surface, it sounded logical. He laid out how the degree could help his business in certain ways. But when I pressed a little deeper and asked, “What made you start considering grad school now?”—his answer had nothing to do with actual career strategy.
He admitted, “I just feel like I need more structure in my day. Everything is changing so fast, and I don’t have a clear, predictable routine.”
It was a lightbulb moment.
Grad school would have given him structure—but at the cost of tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of coursework that he didn’t actually need.
Instead, we worked together to build intentional structure into his life and business—without grad school. And once he did that? The desire to enroll vanished, because it was never really about the degree in the first place.
If you’re drawn to grad school because you miss the comfort of a predictable routine, ask yourself:
What specific structure do I need in my life?
Can I create that without grad school?
If the answer is yes, build the structure first. If grad school still makes sense after that, then move forward.
Mistake #3: Underestimating the Financial, Time, and Mental Investment
Grad school isn’t just expensive—it’s mentally and emotionally taxing, especially when you’re working alongside it.
When I was in my DNP program, I was juggling:
Full-time work (first ER nursing shifts, then 9-5 leadership shifts during COVID)
My doctoral coursework.
It was brutal.
Eventually, I had to take a semester off just to recover. And even though that meant cramming extra credits into my final semesters, it was the only way to make it through without burning out completely.
Beyond the workload, grad school comes with serious financial considerations. Even with a 50% scholarship, my program still cost me $50,000 out of pocket—and that was at a public university. I opted to work fulltime to cover the fees, but the alternative was taking out loans (which I already had plenty of, thanks to my Master’s.)
Before you enroll, make sure you have:
A financial plan (scholarships, employer tuition benefits, loan strategy).
A support system to help you manage stress.
A realistic schedule that accounts for the mental load of grad school.
Mistake #4: Assuming All Schools Are Created Equal
Not all nursing programs are the same. And I’m not just talking about rankings.
Your grad school experience will depend on:
The curriculum and how well it aligns with your values and goals.
The mentorship and faculty support available.
The networking and clinical opportunities tied to the program.
Choosing a school isn’t about picking the most prestigious name. It’s about finding the right fit for your long-term vision.
💡 Not sure what to look for? Check out my Grad School Checklist for a step-by-step guide to choosing a program that actually aligns with your goals.
Mistake #5: Trying to Guess What Admissions Committees Want to Hear
If you shape your application around what you think an admissions committee wants, you risk ending up in a program that isn’t actually right for you.
Instead, be honest about your goals and values—because grad school is a two-way street. You’re also evaluating them to see if they align with what you want.
If you need help crafting a personal statement that’s both strategic and authentic, check out my Personal Statement Writing Guide.
Mistake #6: Expecting Mentorship to Come to You
Grad school is not like undergrad. Your professors and advisors will not be reaching out to check on you regularly.
If you want mentorship, you have to seek it out.
Book regular check-ins with faculty members.
Find mentors outside your program through professional groups.
Join structured career development programs like Change Maker Essentials.
Don’t wait for mentorship to fall into your lap—go after it.
Final Thoughts: Rethink the Role of Grad School in Your Career
If any of these mistakes hit close to home, don’t panic. You’re not stuck—you’re learning.
And if you’re looking for guidance in navigating grad school, Change Maker Essentials can help.
CME is my 12-week leadership and career development program for nurses who want to lead change without burning out. If you want structured support in making career decisions, defining your personal vision, and moving forward with confidence, join the waitlist here.
Got questions? DM me on Instagram @nursing.the.system—I’d love to hear from you.
Oh and if you like podcasts – this blog post was originally an audio episode! You can check out the Nursing the System podcast here.
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