Is it okay to use drupal_goto() from within a node? I implemented a node that automatically adds a product to a cart using this function uc_cart_add_item(33); 

but I want it to then redirect the visitor to the check out page.  I saw that drupal has a drupal_goto() function however this is essentially just a php Header(location: http://mysite.com/cart/checkout)  which usually shouldn't work if it is not done so before any content is spit out.

Now I got this to work and everything but I never liked the idea of just getting it to work, I'd like to get it right.  I thought of a script outside of the drupal environment but wasnt sure if I could use the ubercarts functions.  Does anyone have any ideas on a better way or is the using drupal_goto() within a node okay?    

Just to say and I saw someone else who had a similar problem was that this did work, however the cron job time exceeded the time limit after I implemented this.  SO maybe not a good option like i thought.
It is a bad idea and I wouldn't recommend doing it.  The cron error you see is most likely due to the Search module. During cron while the Search module is trying to index content, if it reaches a node containing a drupal_goto() it will hang and cron will error which could lead to more problems