Cosmetologist to RN

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Hello everyone! This is my first post on here, so I am sorry if I ramble! Just to give you a little info on me for this situation, I am 29, I have a great husband who has an awesome job & we have a beautiful 3 year old daughter. So about 10 years ago when I was 18 years old & didn’t take life seriously, I started college & majored in nursing. It has always been my dream job! I didn’t even take my basic classes seriously, & quit after 3 semesters. I went to cosmetology school, did wonderfully & passed everything with flying colors (even my state board exams). I have ALWAYS LOVED helping people & I thought I got that from doing hair. I loved making people so happy in my chair. I have now been doing hair for over 8 years & have a very large clientele & make good money, but I work myself TO DEATH. I cannot say no to people & squeeze them in even when I don’t have time. I work 4-5 days per week. Always 10-12 hours per day. I don’t eat, pee, or have any breaks. I also have no retirement, or benefits with my job because I am self employed (I booth rent). I put so many hours on myself! Anyway, in the last year, I have become SICK of the spoiled people coming in & cussing me out if I don’t answer their text at 1am, or if their prom updo doesn’t look just like the Pinterest picture! Or if they don’t have platinum hair after one session. I cannot take it. These people are RIDICULOUS about their HAIR. I could understand if they were in pain, or needed surgery, but it’s HAIR!? I’m very thankful for the business I have, but I also feel God calling me to do something MORE for people that goes deeper than just outward appearance. I have grown up so much since the first time I went to college & I am SO ready to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse! Am I crazy for going back to college at almost 30?! I would only have 4 core classes to take before I applied to the ADN program. My husband thinks that I have lost it to walk away from my very successful salon, but I cry every night because I am so unhappy! He thinks that I won’t like the schedule because I set my own. But I work SO SO SO much. I would love to have set hours & be DONE at a certain time & not have people blowing up my phone at all hours of the night about hair!!??? Has anyone else done this & been happy? Will I be able to still work some & balance school & my family? I am SO worried & kind of feel crazy too now that I’ve typed all of this out!? I’ve applied to start taking 2 of my basic classes this fall, and praying hard! Tell me all of the things that you love about your job!?❤️

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No, your not crazy. Just make sure its what you want to do. Im a Respiratory Therapist and Im supposed to start Nursing in August. I've been doing my research and I've been debating not going and heres why :

https://allnurses.com/i-feel-like-glorified-maid-t521583/?page=2

Please read that. I read a lot of Nurses are unhappy because they are treated like maids. Unless you score a management job your going to be running non- stop at the bedside and the call light. I too am almost 30. Id almost rather stay in the general field of RT then to run around non-stop answering call buttons all day and night. Also with RN there is no set hours. You have mandantory rotating weekend shifts. 12 hours 3 days a week sometimes longer and you'll be asked a lot to work more and stay later on some days. I read you say you don't eat, or take breaks at your salon. RN is worse in that aspect and if you youtube videos thats all Nurses talk about. Lookup Nurse Blake on his video "10 things I love about Nursing." I used to think Nursing was a highly respected job. In reality its NOT! No more than any other job. Also with Nursing your one on one with many patients. If you think the hair people at your salon are rediculous wait until patients bite or cuss you out. I've read about this. I think RN is absolutely pointless unless you get your Masters. If you do not get your masters, your not compensated for all the hundreds of things you do besides nursing. Anyways hope this helps.

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Specializes in Hospice.

You are a woman of faith. I went to nursing school in my late 50s. I graduated and passed my NCLEX at 59. I spent 4 miserable months in med/surg and then got the best job I have ever had in a long and eventful life. I am an RN case manager, preceptor and educator in Hospice. My life experiences and jobs as systems consultant and paramedic overcame my shiny new license and this agency took a chance on me.

I am doing the work I was put on this earth to do and I cannot tell you how happy and fulfilled I am. I walked on faith, not on sight.

Look into yourself and open up your line of communication with your God. You will know what you need to do. And if you are a little frightened, that's OK. That's how you will know you are doing the right thing.

Good luck to you. Please keep us posted.

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Specializes in ER.

Hairdressing sounds a lot like nursing actually. Demanding primadonnas who want to be queen for a day... ?

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You are not crazy. Follow your dreams. Lots of people will tell you not to because it's going to be harder but you'll probably feel a greater reward than what you do now. It will be a harder job. If you mess up someone's hair color they will not die. If you mess up someone's meds they can. So there will be more stress and more responsibility. You will work long hours and you will miss holidays and weekends. School will not be easy. I know many many nurses that worked another job, went to school that had kids. It's a big commitment so make sure you have lots of support. However, yes you can do it. If God is calling you to it, He will help you through it.

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.
On 4/28/2019 at 1:50 PM, Emergent said:

Hairdressing sounds a lot like nursing actually. Demanding primadonnas who want to be queen for a day... ?

Yes!!!!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

OP, you set your own schedule but you complain about working yourself to death. Who is doing that? You are! If people don't understand that you cannot answer them 24/7, drop them as clients if they can't respect your time off after a gentle reminder. In any profession, be it hair or nursing or whatever, you have to learn to set BOUNDARIES. This is so important. You are going to potentially change professions (you're not crazy, it can be done), but you aren't going to change YOU unless you learn how to say no, enough, and no thank you.

With all that said, best of luck!! You aren't too old, trust me.

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Thank you all so much for your comments & encouragement!❤️ After lots of prayer & research I have enrolled to start 2 of my basic classes this fall, I will only have 2 more to get done after that & then can apply to the nursing program here at my local college! Yay! I am SO excited & SO nervous!! I’ve met with a couple of advisors & they have been very helpful! My husband still thinks I’m crazy, but he is supportive in his own special way! Haha! So, I’m doing it! I’ll keep everyone posted!

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Specializes in Hospice.

Congrats. I admire your courage. You have begun a wonderful journey. Please keep us posted

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