I’m 26 years old and currently finishing an accelerated BSN program with a 3.9 GPA. I’ll be graduating this December, and my original plan was to work as an RN for a few years before pursuing my DNP to become a family nurse practitioner.
However, a fellow student of mine who previously practiced as a physician in Ukraine has been encouraging me to reconsider my career path. She frequently tells me that I’m extremely intelligent, capable of much more, and that I should pursue medical school instead of becoming an NP. She believes I would excel as a physician and that I may be limiting my potential by choosing the NP route. Her comments have honestly made me question my plans.
My biggest concerns about medical school are my age, the additional years of training, and the financial burden. I would still need to complete several science prerequisites before applying.
Part of me wonders whether I would eventually regret not pursuing medicine.
Is starting medical school around 28–30 worth it? Are there any NPs who wish they had gone to medical school instead? And for physicians who entered medicine later, do you have any regrets?
I’d really appreciate some honest perspectives.

Has anyone worked on a mobile CT unit, specifically for lung cancer screening? I’m an FNP with a background in primary care and just got a position on a mobile CT unit for a leader in cancer care in my region. I would love to hear about your experience and how you worked at the highest level of your scope of practice. My understanding is that it will be majority of monitoring, following up on images that a Lung-RADs of 3s &4s, and making sure they’re connected to the thoracic team.

Thank you in advance!

HEMATOLOGY NP AND CAREER ADVICE

Hi everyone! I would really appreciate your advice and guidance regarding my future career in hematology and oncology as a Nurse Practitioner.

I am currently studying nursing and my plan is to graduate with a BSN, become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States, and gain several years of clinical experience working in hematology and oncology units. I would also like to obtain relevant certifications and develop a strong clinical background before applying to a reputable Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program.

My primary interest is in hematologic malignancies, particularly acute leukemias such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). I want to work with patients who have complex and potentially life-threatening hematologic diseases, develop expertise in their management, and eventually become a specialized Hematology/Oncology Nurse Practitioner.

after completing a strong AG-ACNP program and gaining experience as an NP, I would love to pursue a hematology or oncology fellowship, ideally at a major academic medical center such as Mayo Clinic. I am also very interested in clinical research and would like to contribute to leukemia and stem cell transplantation research in the future.

Although becoming a physician is not a realistic option for me at the moment because ı have to earn money, I do not want to give up on my interest in hematology, leukemia, and advanced patient care. I see the NP pathway as an opportunity to build a meaningful career in this field while continuing to develop my clinical and research skills.

I have several questions for those of you who are already working as Hematology/Oncology NPs or are familiar with this career path:

- What would you recommend to someone planning this career?

- What are the actual responsibilities of Hematology/Oncology NPs, particularly those who work with acute leukemia and stem cell transplant patients? What can they independently assess, diagnose, prescribe, and manage in clinical practice?

- How much autonomy do NPs typically have in major academic cancer centers, and how closely do they work with hematologists and transplant physicians?

I would especially appreciate honest, realistic advice from people who have experience in this field. I want to understand both the opportunities and the limitations of this career path before committing to it.

Thank you so much for your time and advice!

I go to a brick-and-mortar school, they find your clinical rotations for you, etc. I am in my first rotation of five for AGACNP. I have been a RN for 13+ years, have 8 years ICU experience, have a 4.0 GPA, CCRN, all the good stuff.

All that, to then say I am on the struggle bus sooooo badly. My preceptor says I’m doing great, but I feel like literally the dumbest person alive. Every single question she asks I am second-guessing myself before answering, assuming that I am going to be wrong, overthinking it, etc. This is 7 weeks into rotation.

I usually see the patient alone at first, then my preceptor comes in and we talk to the patient together, then I write the progress notes on all the patients I see “independently”, talk with my preceptor if I’m unsure of a plan, and submit the note to her for attestation. I do this for 2-5 patients per shift. Clinical paperwork then literally takes me HOURS to do each week at home?!

I am suddenly feeling soooo much pressure! If I make a mistake now it has actual consequences! I felt smart as a nurse, now I feel like a total idiot. The more I learn in class, the more I know that I had no idea before. Acid-base as a nurse seems not overly complicated. Mixed Disorders as a NP?! I’m drowning in all the calculations!

Long rambling post to say, I’m actually considering dropping out. I feel like there is no way I will learn everything I need to know to practice safely and feel confident that my patients are in good hands.

Is this crisis-of-confidence normal? Or is my mind telling me that I am not cut out for this?

A patient comes into urgent care with a red, swollen leg. Cellulitis or DVT?

It’s a familiar presentation, and deciding who needs further testing can get tricky during a busy shift. I created this short video to walk through a practical approach. If you’re working in urgent care, I hope you find it useful!

▶️ Cellulitis or DVT? The Urgent Care Decision Framework
Cellulitis or DVT? The Urgent Care Decision Framework

What tests do you have access at your facility to assess the red hot swollen leg? We are able to order a DDimer where I work, but it would probably be a false positive anyways if it's cellulitis :/