Musicians, Artist career changers?

elkpark · Feb 16, 2016

-- Not really. Once in a while, a little.

-- I became interested in nursing through a non-music job I was working to earn a living. My music never got to the point of being a "career;" I was working secretarial jobs to pay the bills (when you're trained as a classical pianist, you can type like the wind -- it was always easy for me to get secretarial jobs).

-- I've never missed my "old life;" as I said, I had never gotten to the point of the music being a "career." And I certainly don't miss typing for minimum wage to keep a roof over my head and food in my mouth. :) After several years of that, I suddenly realized that deciding to do something else for a living didn't mean giving up music -- it just meant I wouldn't be planning to earn a living with it.

-- Most of my nursing career, I have usually had a (paying, permanent) church organist position "on the side," and I've taken other short-term music jobs that I can work in around my "real" work schedule. And, of course, I play for my own pleasure. I often recall friends I used to have who played professionally in a symphony, and how often they would complain about having to play the Summer Pops series (which they despised) and other kinds of music jobs they didn't want and didn't enjoy, because they needed the money, and how one of them used to say that her absolute dream would be to only have to play music she wanted to play -- well, that's what nursing enables me to do; only play when and what I want to. It also liberates me from the "starving artist" lifestyle. :)

Davey Do · Feb 16, 2016

Welcome to AN.com, Elsa15!

Although I have always done Art, I didn't do it professionally until I had been a Nurse for over ten years. From 1996 to 2003, I worked as a street cartoonist, painted murals, and did jobs on commission. I hung up my guns when my love of Art became more business than pleasure.

As you are surely aware, Art is a pursuit, a calling, a lifestyle. Many times, we Artists would rather do Art than eat. Well, for a limited time anyway. Art is one way I deal with the stressors of my job. I integrate my Art into my work through the expression process

.

In a recent thread, a Nurse said something like, "Nursing is not who I am, it's what I do". Well, Nursing is who I am. I am a Nurse 24 hours a day, even when I'm not working, I think about Nursing. Being an Artist is like that. Even though I don't have an implement of expression in my hand, I still think about Art.

I could no more stop being an Artist or a Nurse any more than I can stop being who I am. And I think being able to do my Art makes me a better Nurse.

The best to you, Elsa15!

Geslina, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2016

I was/am an artist - a painter. While I wish I could still devote my time 100% to my art, unfortunately, I need to make a living. Selling my paintings was feast or famine, and I had no benefits. I got tired of living that way. I'm not happier being a nurse, but at least the bills get paid, I have benefits and savings. The big problem is, I have very little time or energy to put into painting now. Nothing like a brutal, high stress 40 hour work week to suck all the creativity out of you!

Davey Do · Feb 17, 2016

Nothing like a brutal, high stress 40 hour work week to suck all the creativity out of you!

I feel bad for you, Geslina, for my work as a Nurse balances out my life. Art is my bliss, but Nursing fulfills me and inspires me.

Having gone through Therapy with an Art Therapist back in the late 90's after being stabbed by a psychotic Patient, I learned to channel my emotions into my Art. Nursing can be pretty darn frustrating and taxing, but it can also be just as inspiring.

Many of the humorous cartoons I've made on this website were the result of difficult situations at work; they're merely different perspectives.

Art is my buoy- it keeps me afloat. If I didn't have Art, I could well be on the other side off the psychiatric unit nurses station.

My hope for you, Geslina, is that you find a way to channel that brutal, high stress 40 hour work week into your Art.

The very best to you!

RobotNurse · Feb 18, 2016

Did you ever regret your career change?

YES! when i got my acceptance letter to nursing school, i was tempted to shred it and tell my family I was put on the waitlist or not accepted. I hate nursing! I knew from day 1 that going into healthcare or anything other than art was the wrong path for me, but i felt pressured by my family, didn't have the nerve to stand up to them, and didn't yet understand that the internet and social media have made it SO much easier to launch a successful arts-based business!

I also bought into the myth of the "starving artist" and didn't realize the only reason i wasn't making money is because i was trying to do things the traditional way along with all the other 2873462982 recent arts graduates in my city. as the wise saying goes, while everyone else is storming the front door, find a way to sneak in the back! don't do what everyone else is doing. find a niche, discover what makes you and your work unique, be creative and find multiple ways to monetize your talents and strengths, and think like an entrepreneur and create your own opportunities! i wish people had given me this career advice before i went into craploads of student debt and wasted 5 years in nursing.

Why did you change careers?

see above

Do you ever desperately miss your old life?

I very much miss being a professional artist and entrepreneur. Working for someone else, punching a freaking time clock, taking orders and following directions, etc. is NOT my thing and I feel like i've lost a lot of my ambition the longer i work as a cog in the machine of healthcare and that scares me.

How do you fulfill your artistic needs while working as a nurse?

i didn't; I was perpetually exhausted and frustrated between getting out of work late and commuting and the job sapping my energy. fortunately i just went PRN after new year's, so i only have to work 1 shift per month. and now i'm working harder on my art than ever before because I know what's at stake! I know what kind of soul-sucking nursing jobs are waiting for me if i don't work hard and make my business successful! so that's lit a fire under my butt because i don't ever want to have to go back to nursing!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 18, 2016

Hi Elsa,

I have not an artistic bone in my body. I hope you can still appreciate my response.

I am wondering why you want to pursue nursing. It is vastly different from any artistic form. Nursing is 99% science.

The 1 % could be acting..acting like you care.

Davey Do · Feb 18, 2016

Nursing is 99% science.

Science to a Nurse is like the knowledge of the media to an Artist. Both the Nurse and the Artist need to know how to apply this information in order to manipulate the media and achieve a desired goal.

There is an Art to Nursing.

RNperdiem, RN · Feb 18, 2016

My sister was an art major in college and an art therapist for several years. Art therapy is often the first thing cut from a facility budget during hard times, so in addition to not being paid well, she lived with job insecurity too. The business side of art and music is unfortunately seldom taught unless you are lucky to find a mentor early on.

My sister now works in xray. She likes the variety, interaction and hours. Best of all she now makes enough money to keep her in paints, materials and is able to travel somewhere fabulous and beautiful once or twice a year for inspiration.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 18, 2016

I'm a successful award-winning musician and have been for as long as I've been a nurse. I managed to do both rather well and it doesn't have to be an all or nothing situation. I've managed to tour the country, play with some of the biggest names and record two albums, while simultaneously pursuing two nursing degrees and three nursing certifications. What I love about music is the artistic expression and energy, but it doesn't pay the bills, and as I don't like to be poor, I work. A lot of other musicians I have worked with didn't consider Plan B and are following true to the starving artist clichÃ©. That's all fun when you're 20 but as you get older it gets harder. I'm glad I made the decisions I did. I'm still playing music while in grad school. I'm nominated for an award at the New England Music Awards in April, which is a week after a big exam. Gotta love my crazy life.

Elsa15 · Feb 18, 2016

Thank you for your honest responses. I've worked as a classical musician and private teacher for the past 15 years and have make a living for myself doing so. Financially, it was never much more than what I absolutely needed to make, even as a full time performer and teacher. I am now married, hubby is self employed (no health or other benefits in his job), and we now have a child. Needless to say, my needs have changed and I dream of benefits! Performing in the classical world is tough in that there are fewer companies that pay, and traveling doesn't really seem possible. Any babysitter would end up making much more than I. So, we desperately need stability. But, I am also at a point where I don't NEED to be an artist. I've done what I wanted to do and am ready to move on. I also would like to do something with my life that isn't quite as self centered as performing. Something that "matters."

One of my side jobs has been as an "entertainer" in the memory care unit of assisted living facilities. I have really enjoyed that. I have often thought that it would be nice to be able to do something in that setting full time (not as an entertainer though. It has been really great to see what a difference small things make in people's lives like holding hands, looking someone in the eye and telling them they are beautiful, or that they have a beautiful voice, reminding them that they are human.

I am in the midst of pre req's now, and it is indeed very different.

So.. while I am ready to move on, I have a feeling that I may want to come back to music at some point. I really just wanted to see how much/ if others missed their art after switching careers.

elkpark · Feb 18, 2016

I really just wanted to see how much/ if others missed their art after switching careers.

Well, speaking for myself, I feel like I would have had to give up music in order to miss it, and I haven't done that. That was the big "aha moment" for me, that I didn't have to give up music in order to make a living doing something else; I was only giving up the notion of earning a living at it.