Musicians, Artist career changers?

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Hi there,

I'm working towards going into nursing as a second career, coming from a performing arts background. For those of you who are also artist, I have some questions:

Did you ever regret your career change?

Why did you change careers?

Do you ever desperately miss your old life?

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

Thank you so much for any thoughts!

Specializes in ICU,ER,med-Surg,Geri,Correctional.

Got out of the service. Played a few years on the road, not the glamorous life so many think. With a bit of road wisdom I decided time to get a back up plan. Always enjoyed helping folks and healthcare always fascinated me. So went to Nursing school. Not being a sexist but in my days we had 3 males in the program, and it was one heck of a challenge. Still played local clubs on weekends to make some $$. After school was over I had my first job,with a steady income with health insurance, paid Holidays and vacation. I was instantly spoiled. Told my band mates I was out of the business because I became addicted to Food, Clothing and Shelter. But after several years the desire returned. Now that I had a steady income ,own a house married with a family. The equipment that I could never afford was now in my clenches. Started playing again at small gigs and open mics. three back surgeries later, much older. Retirement came quicker than I thought. But now I am a full time writer, with some success. No big hits, but some publishing. I feel like perhaps my love for nursing a 40 yr fling did keep me from achieving my musical goals. I simply was not hungry enough, and got complacent. Can't cry over spilled milk. I chose my profession as a nurse, it became my primary occupation. I had an opportunity to work at Vanderbilt in Nashvegas (ha ha) which now I wished I would had done. So if you are really into the music bizz I would suggest work close to a viable scene. The Kool thing is wherever there is a lot of folks, then there is a hospital. So keep Rocking!! and Long May you ride!!!

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I was an actor and became a nurse as a way to make a living while auditioning and working toward making a living as an actor. I have traveled the country as well as the entire Western Hemisphere as a flight nurse. Acting became a hobby and now I haven't auditioned for anything in years so I am not sure it was a good thing as backup because it became my career. I can't wait to get to where I will NEVER have to nurse again.

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I was an actor and became a nurse as a way to make a living while auditioning and working toward making a living as an actor. I have traveled the country as well as the entire Western Hemisphere as a flight nurse. Acting became a hobby and now I haven't auditioned for anything in years so I am not sure it was a good thing as backup because it became my career. I can't wait to get to where I will NEVER have to nurse again.

What is it about nursing that you aren't so fond of? Why did you choose nursing as your backup as opposed to something else?

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OK you're a musician, actor, singer, dancer, model, take your pick. You're also working part time as a nurse. When you have scheduling conflicts (out of town auditions, rehearsals/ film shoots, etc) and you're scheduled to work, how many times do you think you can hound your co-workers to switch shifts with you before they get annoyed? Do you think your scheduling manager cares that you're trying to make it as a professional artist or takes that into consideration when (NOT) giving you your requested schedule? How many times do you think you can call out for those scheduling conflicts before you get fired?

If you work the day job and turn down your arts opportunities when scheduling conflicts come up, how do you expect to get anywhere in the arts? If/when you're fortunate enough to get a booking agent and/or management, do you think they'll put up with you turning down auditions and potential work because "i have to work as a nurse that day"? Especially when there are loads of equally-or-more talented people who would do anything for representation, auditions, etc. and would take it more seriously than you by not blowing off opportunities for a nursing job? What if you juggle auditions and work for months and land an amazing gig in the EU - do you think your nursing job is just going to be like 'ok have fun, your job will be here when you get back in 2-3 months?' Nope! You could then 'job hop', quitting jobs every time you have a great gig and then go through the hassle of trying to find another one when you come back, but what do you think your resume will look like after a few of those? "just go PRN" - ok yeah, PRN is basically the only real way to be a nurse and a professional artist, but then you're doing 4 years of university and student debt just for a casual job with no benefits.

Can you still get paid work as an artist while working a day job? Sure, but you're limited - so limited that it often can make the difference between 'needing' that day job and advancing as an artist to where you can make a living. Keep in mind my experience is in performing arts, not visual/fine arts.

The scenario you describe is one possible path of many, not the only path.

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Elsa,

Hello! I'm a fairly successful talent manager/literary agent and an LPN (starting transition to RN in the fall).

I've always been very interested in the medical field; however, I also really love the entertainment business. I started out volunteering at a hospital to keep myself grounded. You'd be surprised how many high-level talent, publicists, agents, etc. do the same.

I decided to go into nursing because I was tired of the feast/famine lifestyle. I also really needed benefits. I was paying $795 monthly for health insurance!

I don't regret it but I'm also still working as a manager/agent. Any chance you could do both?

I really like the stability with nursing and I love being a nurse. I'm not sure what I would do if I had to choose between the two. I don't think I would be happy if I quit the ent. business. I would find a way to somehow make it work, i.e., drop all but one or two clients.

If performing is what you love, I would think you could find a balance. Maybe perform one or two times a week/month. Best of luck to you!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
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!

While I admire your passion for nursing, I am definitely in the "nursing is what I do, not who I am" camp. Nursing does not inspire or nurture me. I refuse to let it drain me as well, although this has been a struggle.

I work part-time as a makeup artist at a cosmetic counter. Makeup may seem frivolous to some..but the creative expression and possibilities it yields graces and defines me much more than nursing ever will.

OP, I left a financially unstable career in the performing arts for nursing solely for the practicality. And regarding practicality, it has not disappointed. However it does not offer me any other personal or creative growth. I had a gaping void so I started volunteering to do makeup for community theatre, which led to the part-time makeup artistry job I have and cherish now.

Do I miss art? I did dearly, and incorporated it back into my life. Do I regret my choice to become a nurse? Everyday. I am looking into non-nursing graduate programs to get me out of this field, but in the mean time I'm content because as I said nursing is just what I do three nights a week.

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Makeup is an art. I don't wear much because I am so bad at it. :bag:

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I'm 51....about 3 months from graduating....May 12th to be exact...yeeehaaaaa....I've been a photographer for the last 23 years. I loved film and thought I would love digital, until everyone became a photographer and the industry model changed. I became a photographer to get out from behind a desk and now I was being forced back there. I know I either had to adapt or change careers. I did lots of soul searching, lots of interviews in various industries. I tried construction briefly since I had the skills but realized quickly that is truly a young mans game, for those who used they're hands and bodies as tool extensions. I grew up in medicine and healthcare so the dinner time conversation was familiar to me. Only problem was I was terrible in math and science in high school. My finance and accounting classes I nearly failed in college so I thought there is NO WAY I could ever do this. I decided just for s**ts and giggles to take one course at a local community college. I aced it. Took another and another and thought I can do this. I got into both PA school and Nursing. No regrets yet but I'm still in school. I have been volunteering with a city trauma unit so for my senior captstone clinical that is what I choose. I love it. Blood, guts and gore give me more. It is fast paced sometimes and slow at others. It is sort of like a photo shoot. Sometimes nothing happens but you have to be prepared and ready for the stuff to hit the wall. Timing, anticipation, and preparedness. I'm not a straight A student but good enough that I will join the honor society for what its worth. If I know now what I knew then, when I was younger, that I could actually do math and sciences and combine my manual skills I likely would have gone to med school and been a surgeon. No regrets. I had a really cool life so far and can't wait for what comes next. Sure the industry has changed but what doesn't. Looking back I would have been fine in photography but I was also ready.

I hope that helped. Good luck. It is completely possible. Discipline, commitment, a little luck, you got this.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.
OK you're a musician, actor, singer, dancer, model, take your pick. You're also working part time as a nurse. When you have scheduling conflicts (out of town auditions, rehearsals/ film shoots, etc) and you're scheduled to work, how many times do you think you can hound your co-workers to switch shifts with you before they get annoyed? Do you think your scheduling manager cares that you're trying to make it as a professional artist or takes that into consideration when (NOT) giving you your requested schedule? How many times do you think you can call out for those scheduling conflicts before you get fired?

If you work the day job and turn down your arts opportunities when scheduling conflicts come up, how do you expect to get anywhere in the arts? If/when you're fortunate enough to get a booking agent and/or management, do you think they'll put up with you turning down auditions and potential work because "i have to work as a nurse that day"? Especially when there are loads of equally-or-more talented people who would do anything for representation, auditions, etc. and would take it more seriously than you by not blowing off opportunities for a nursing job? What if you juggle auditions and work for months and land an amazing gig in the EU - do you think your nursing job is just going to be like 'ok have fun, your job will be here when you get back in 2-3 months?' Nope! You could then 'job hop', quitting jobs every time you have a great gig and then go through the hassle of trying to find another one when you come back, but what do you think your resume will look like after a few of those? "just go PRN" - ok yeah, PRN is basically the only real way to be a nurse and a professional artist, but then you're doing 4 years of university and student debt just for a casual job with no benefits.

Can you still get paid work as an artist while working a day job? Sure, but you're limited - so limited that it often can make the difference between 'needing' that day job and advancing as an artist to where you can make a living. Keep in mind my experience is in performing arts, not visual/fine arts.

While it's difficult, it's not impossible. When I was touring I worked per diem. I worked one or two nights a week and then played shows every weekend. Now I work Mon-Fri which makes it easier as I know I'm always going to be able to do a sow. When I worked ICU it was more difficult but I always managed to switch a shift when it mattered. I'm still here and doing it so it must work for some! I've managed to balance nursing and music for nearly 25 years.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.
Your vocals are freakin' FIERCE!

I love hard-driving rock. This stuff might be just a leeetle too far into the dark arts for my comfort, though. :)

Haha thanks! Don't worry...the dark arts part is mostly theatrics. We're kind to old ladies and animals ;)

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Specializes in ED.

Elsa,

Whether it's nursing or anything other than your art, don't do it until you've given your art a100% attempt. Success means different things to different people. Maybe just being able to live off of your art is enough...i know it would have been for me. Don't get sucked into this American culture of work a day blues. Nothing, nothing will bring you joy and satisfaction like your art will. I'm a musician, and I played it safe, and I regret that. What for? To please someone else? All I have ever needed is music, food and a roof over my head. Do what YOU want, no one else matters, nursing isn't going away, you can always come back.

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Elsa,

Whether it's nursing or anything other than your art, don't do it until you've given your art a100% attempt. Success means different things to different people. Maybe just being able to live off of your art is enough...i know it would have been for me. Don't get sucked into this American culture of work a day blues. Nothing, nothing will bring you joy and satisfaction like your art will. I'm a musician, and I played it safe, and I regret that. What for? To please someone else? All I have ever needed is music, food and a roof over my head. Do what YOU want, no one else matters, nursing isn't going away, you can always come back.

Do you still do music?

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