Should I go back to school for my MSN?

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice or insight from those of you who’ve been through this decision or are in a similar spot.

I graduated from nursing school last year and I’m currently working on a cardiovascular progressive care unit. I’m actually doing really well and thriving — I love the pace, the learning, and the team. Long-term, I’m planning to apply to a CVICU position sometime next year once the opportunity opens up. That’s definitely part of my future goals.

Lately though, I’ve been seriously considering going back to school to get my master’s degree in nursing. I’ve been torn between two possible tracks:

1. Adult acute care NP
2. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
3. Nursing Education

A few things are pushing me to consider school sooner rather than later:

• I kind of want to get it out of the way before life gets even busier.
• I’ve heard that student loans can be paused or put in deferment while enrolled, which would help financially in the short term.
• I'm thinking long-term growth and future flexibility, and I know a master's degree opens a lot of doors.

My question is: has anyone here made this decision recently or been in a similar spot? What helped you decide which path to take? Also, if you have any recommendations for great MSN programs (flexible, affordable, good support), I’d love to hear them. Thanks so much in advance!