GoodNP

I have no oncology experience but would love to make the transition. My background is 11 years in family practice preceded by 10 years in cardiology and research. Any idea how the oncology-naive NPs got into it?

Do you have an RN or LVN working with you, or are you referring to an MA as your "nurse"?

Literally right now the suggested articles on the right hand side of the screen on Allnurses are: 13 Fastest Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs | 2025 14 Fastest Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs | 2025 Can we please stop clowning ourselves??

Thanks for all of the comments. I think I'm feeling a lack of confidence just applying for a specialty position without a good foundation of experience. When I took my first NP job in primary care, I was promised close mentorship, and that did not happen, so it was a stressful first few years. Not looking to repeat that scenario.

I've been in family practice for 11 years and while I love my patients, I no longer enjoy the most common chief complaints. I'd like to get into something different. Maybe hem/onc, infectious disease, or interventional radiology. I don't have specific experience in these areas, but I've seen new grads get hired in these specialties. I would love suggestions!

I used to make it a policy to only precept NP students from local (in-state) brick and mortar schools. Never from Chamberlain, etc. Now I don't take any students at all. Sad because part of me feels obligated to "give back", but even the very reputable schools never made site visits or vetted me as a preceptor. This is concerning and it's no wonder NP education is so widely criticized. It's embarrassing and I hate being associated with it.

"the vast majority of the thankless, back-end 'secretarial' style work that makes a lot of the clinics run tends to fall on the women APPs" would love to hear some examples of this

Thanks I'll check it out. And I agree, the rare motivated self-accountable patient is quite rewarding.

I am actively looking to leave primary care because I am sick of obesity, obesity-related illnesses, obesity meds, fighting with patients about why their insurance won't cover, or why the pharmacy doesn't have it in stock, or why I won't prescribe compounded pyridoxine/semaglutide (wth?); fighting with patients about not needing abx for viral URIs; and apparently nobody is capable of getting through school or work without amphetamines, benzos, or other sleep aids. When I got into nursing to help people, this is not what I had in mind.

A few thoughts: That is the most egregious money-grubbing profit-motivated unnecessary dangerous over-utilization of healthcare I have ever heard of. There are laws to prevent exactly this type of behavior. Get out of there. Like yesterday. Who cares about your contract? I promise the owner will not come after you. If he does, counter sue. (But he won't!) I encourage you to report him to CMS and the medical board. He is taking advantage of patients who don't even know they're being taken advantage of. He is defrauding our healthcare system. He is putting your patients' lives and your license at risk.

Definitely not too old and it makes you happy go for it! HOWEVER, it might not make you happy. Depending on what area you plan to work, know that it can be grueling. E.g. primary care. You will become a revenue generator and, unless you are self-employed, your employer will always want you to generate as much as possible. As many patients as you can squeeze into your day. That's where the burnout comes in. I would personally find something different to do as an RN.

Wait, so NPs may prescribe Qsymia, but not phentermine? I wonder whose pockets got lined with that one.

That's BS. Hospitals should be ashamed to treat their existing employees with such disrespect and lack of appreciation. LOLOL what am I saying??? I crack myself up. Anyway, I would not be able to stay there unless I was paid equitably. Sounds like it's time for a change of scenery.

Well said. That said, nurses, aka imperfect human beings who make mistakes like the rest of the world, are taught the ethical principles of nursing. Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Autonomy, Justice, Veracity, Fidelity, and Integrity. Admittedly, we are none of us perfect role models, but I do believe that the time spent learning these principles is valuable. And perhaps we need refreshers on this stuff with greater frequency, specifically with case studies that provide meaningful opportunities for learning rather than just rote regurgitation of warm of fuzzy words. I wonder if similar ethics training exists in law enforcement?

Nurses and police are both in positions of power over vulnerable populations. Power corrupts. Can't count the number of times I've seen a nurse on a power trip. So yes, there are similarities between nurses and police.