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Is it worth it to become a nurse practitioner or staying as a RN if i want to be a pediatric oncology nurse?

I am a senior in high school and I am building my path to become a peds oncologist.

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James’s Answer

I like Whitney's answer. I did want to add that your last comment is that you want to become a pediatric oncologist. That would mean becoming a physician who completes medical school, then completes a 3-year pediatric residency followed by a 3-year hematology-oncology fellowship. Starting in nursing can be a way to learn a lot, experience different work environments, earn some money, and still be able to move to being a doctor at some point. Or, you may want to consider aiming for medical school from the outset.
Most nurse practioners I know, like Whitney, worked as RNs before deciding to get their advanced training.
You do not live too far from excellent children's hospitals in Cleveland and Akron. Try to find opportunities to visit, and ideally shadow (this takes significant effort, but is worth it), oncologists, NPs, and RNs to learn more about each one's joys and tribulations.
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Whitney’s Answer

You have great goals! I worked in pediatric inpatient care and the pediatric ICU for 12 years before becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP). If you can't start in pediatric oncology right away, try to get a job at a children's hospital in any department. It's much easier to move to a different department within the same hospital than to apply from outside. Consider working as an RN on the oncology floor to see how you like it. You'll work with NP providers there, and you can decide if you want to stay as an RN or become a pediatric NP. I always told myself I would stay an RN as long as I enjoyed it, and then think about becoming an NP later. I don't regret my years as an RN as I know it has only further advanced my knowledge and makes me a better NP, but I also do not regret leaving the hospital for my NP as well.
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