Hi all! I must say that I am a long time reader, first time poster. The great thing about this place is that I have seen nurses help other nurses and that is why I am here...I need help with a decision I need to make.
I have been a nurse since 2010, working primarily in nursing homes. Prior to nursing school, I thought about going to culinary school to become a pastry chef and eventually open my own cupcake shop. I love baking and making people happy with food is something I love doing. However, I decided to go to nursing school because at the time, I was set on that being what I wanted to do. I loved nursing school and getting my first job as a nurse. I loved it so much I decided to enroll in a RN to MSN bridge program, which I am now just 2 years away from completing.
However recently, probably for about a year, I have really thought about going to culinary school to pursue my dream of opening my own cupcake shop and leaving the nursing world all together. I have just become disheartened with the nursing profession. I thought switching facilities and working in a new place would bring back the passion I once had for nursing, but moving to a new place has only made it worse. I even tried working in the hospital for a period of time, but I quickly learned I did not belong there and went back to my comfort zone. Everyday I feel like a glorified "pill pusher" and I don't feel like I make any difference in the lives of my residents.
And that is why I have turned to you guys here. I am torn between staying in something that I know or starting over and doing what has always been a dream of mine. I don't want to regret any decisions because you only live once. I have already started researching culinary schools in my area and found one at the same community college where I attended nursing school. I am tempted to throw in the towel with nursing and start over and follow my dreams. I would appreciate any feedback and advice!
I wouldn't say most of us are naysayers, but if you want a dream to work, you need to accept the workload and tradeoffs that are involved in running a small business.
What is so wrong about doing your homework before making a career change? We advise many would-be nurses to know what they are getting into, and even advise some to rethink their plans.
To the op, I would highly recommend some business, business law, and accounting classes at least at your local comm. college if you don't already have these under your belt. I hope you have some real world business experience as well. Too many people "go into business" with no business plan or experience and are then shocked when reality slaps them upside the face after the business fails.
You would really help yourself by going to work in another bake shop for 2-3 years to learn not only the "trade" but the business aspect if the owner was willing to share that with you. (don't expect someone with whom you might be considered a competitor to open their books to you though). Go in with open eyes.
You will learn and gain more by working part-time in a pastry or cupcake shop than going to culinary school. It will help you see if this is what you really want to do longterm.
I hate to be a dream crusher, but you need to be realistic. First of all, culinary schools (especially for profit schools) are usually a waste of money. If you are planning on opening your own business, there is really no need to get an expensive degree. Also, running a small business is a very risky prospect and chances of success are pretty low. Of course, your business could be a runaway success that makes you happy and rich....but chances are not on your side. Nursing is a practical profession that I cannot imagine is many people's 'dream job'. But it pays the bills and gives you the opportunity to help people. Life is too short to be miserable, but reality sometimes has a way of punching you in the face. I would really investigate what it takes to become a successful bakery owner and talk with someone about the business aspect of running a bakery before quitting my job and enrolling in an expensive, probably unnecessary program...GL!
Oh Em Gee.. I just felt like I was reading my diary. I have been an RN since 2010 as well, but have worked in Med/Surg in two different hospitals in two different states. I too am at my breaking point, but yet I'm afraid to move on to something new. I LOVE taking care of people, but I don't agree with most of the medications I give and I have more of a holistic mindset when it comes to nursing. My dream is to have a show on Food Network and publish a cookbook for healthy foods that don't taste like crap I find it very interesting that I read your post after having the same discussion with my husband just this morning. I am considering starting the BSN program just in case my culinary dream doesn't pay the bills. My advice to you (and to myself) is to follow your heart, but be smart at the same time. I would quit your MSN program before you waste money that you could put towards your culinary degree. I would change to PRN if you are okay to not have the benefits. I would then start the culinary classes that you're talking about. Why can't you open your cupcake shop and work PRN? If you don't make the money you need from your shop, just pick up some extra shifts. If you make it big, then quit your nursing job. That's what I would do. Good luck to you! I would really love it if you'd keep me updated on your progress as I'm in the same boat as you! Feel free to email me sometime at [email protected].
How about CAM (complementary and alternative medicine)? There are nurses who do that...
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
My bit of advice would be that no matter what you decide to do, check into the requirements in your state for putting your RN license on "inactive" status rather than letting it lapse altogether and involve a requirement to retake the NCLEX. You may have to pay fees on that license but speaking from personal experience and from what I read here it is well worth it for that "something to fall back on". I am so glad I did that when I needed the work and had to put my dreams on the back burner for a while. All the best whatever you decide to do!
I find it interesting that if the OP made a post about leaving a steady, well-paying job to follow their dream of going into nursing -- many more people would be shooting them down or at least providing a less...chipper perspective.
Keeping your nursing license active and taking a PRN position is probably your wisest move. Gives you a way out if you should fall on hard times with the culinary dream, plus it'll help to pay for culinary school which tends to be prohibitively expensive for what often amounts to a piece of paper that means very literal unless backed with real world experience.
As a former pastry chef/ current RN, I would personally not completely drop the nursing until you are well established. Baking is a very physically demanding job (well, pastry work is- cupcakes probably not as much.). It takes a while to establish any business, and it takes a while I make a profit baking. I'm definitely not saying you shouldn't go for it- just make sure you don't leave yourself short with not enough cash and no nursing to fall back on.
Go for your dream! You can always return to nursing if needed OR you can figure out away to combine baking and nursing - you never know where the road will lead!
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I wouldn't say most of us are naysayers, but if you want a dream to work, you need to accept the workload and tradeoffs that are involved in running a small business.
What is so wrong about doing your homework before making a career change? We advise many would-be nurses to know what they are getting into, and even advise some to rethink their plans.
I never said that. I was responding to people who said she shouldn't specialize her shop.
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I find it very interesting that I read your post after having the same discussion with my husband just this morning. I am considering starting the BSN program just in case my culinary dream doesn't pay the bills. My advice to you (and to myself) is to follow your heart, but be smart at the same time. I would quit your MSN program before you waste money that you could put towards your culinary degree. I would change to PRN if you are okay to not have the benefits. I would then start the culinary classes that you're talking about. Why can't you open your cupcake shop and work PRN? If you don't make the money you need from your shop, just pick up some extra shifts. If you make it big, then quit your nursing job. That's what I would do. Good luck to you! I would really love it if you'd keep me updated on your progress as I'm in the same boat as you! Feel free to email me sometime at 
RNperdiem, RN
4,592 Posts
I wouldn't say most of us are naysayers, but if you want a dream to work, you need to accept the workload and tradeoffs that are involved in running a small business.
What is so wrong about doing your homework before making a career change? We advise many would-be nurses to know what they are getting into, and even advise some to rethink their plans.