CRJ-900 First Officer reported a Nose Wheel Steering INOP caution message after the landing gear were selected down on final. The flight crew performed a go-around and ran the QRH and checklists. Priority handling was requested and the flight crew made a precautionary landing at destination airport.

Narrative

I am writing to report a STEERING INOP caution message that occurred at 6 mile final for Runway X at ZZZ. At the time; I was the pilot flying and the Captain was the pilot monitoring. The message appeared as the gear was in transit moving towards the down position. Upon recognition of the caution message; the Captain called for a soft go-around. After completion of the go-around the Captain requested vectors from ATC and assigned me the controls and radios while he completed the QRC and QRH procedures. Completion of the QRH procedures did NOT resolve the problem. We then proceeded to develop a plan. We decided that Runway X at ZZZ would still be our best option for landing. We were both familiar with the airport; we had landing data for the airport; the passengers were originally scheduled to arrive at this airport; and we planned to use the intersecting Runway XX for an easy turn off considering the nose wheel steering would be inoperative. Out of an abundance of caution we elected to [request priority handling] as we could not be sure how controllable the aircraft would be upon landing. Crosswinds were considerable. The Captain decided that he would assume pilot flying duties for the landing while I handled communications. After [requesting priority handling] to ATC and requesting Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) personnel to be present for our landing; we notified Dispatch and then the flight attendants with the company required items. We communicated with Operations on the ground at ZZZ to let them know the situation and that we will likely have to be towed to our gate. The Captain also kept the passengers in the loop by letting them know that we have requested the crash; fire; and rescue teams to be present for the landing as precautionary measure. The landing was uneventful. The Captain was able to use differential braking and thrust to get the airplane off of the active runway and onto the ramp. From there we had to be towed to the gate. Upon arriving at the gate a post flight inspection revealed that the nose gear strut was completely depressed and leaking fluid. This is likely the cause of the STEERING INOP Message. Maintenance Control was present and notified.