Nurse or Hairstylist?

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I go back and forth about where and what I'd like to be when I grow up. LOL There are days I feel like nursing is the way to go, Stability, money, doing something good for others. Then I think about the hours (12 hr shifts) the families, Doctors, liability. I cannot make a decision. Do I want to be a nurse or do hair. Im somewhat creative, but I did make-up for a while and really enjoyed it. I have young children and think I'd enjoy hair more. Can't I do both? Do hair first and if I get sick of it...got to nursing school? I was going to start out with my LPN...but I am questioning myself to much. Any advice???

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Hi. Are you going to be able to support your little ones on a hairstylist's salary? Also, you mention the hrs, but not all nurses work 12hr shifts.

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Becoming a hairdresser is faster. My daughter is starting in December (and going to college for an MBA and wants to act). :D

If you become really good with color (especially highlights), you can build a large clientele and set your own hours and make good money. My hairdresser owns a very nice home, an expensive car and a houseboat and she makes more than her husband.

And it wouldn't take much time away from your kids.

In my area, an LPN/LVN mostly works in long-term care. Which is an honorable place to work but is that what YOU want to do? Or do you want to work in acute care settings as an RN?

How much time are you willing to give for this?

Where do you want to end up?

Where does your family fit into the mix?

How are your finances?

Lots of questions . . maybe go talk to a career counselor at a local college.

Good luck!!

steph

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O.K, yes I should clarify some things. I am a stay at home mom and have been for several years now. Little one just turned four, other two are in school. I am NOT the main breadwinner. My husband supports which ever way I decide. That is why I want to make the right choice and that involves still being here for my kids...taking to school, maybe picking up...no nights, or very few. I don't mind saturdays, but not all weekend every weekend. A girlfriend of mine is an LPN and works in an acute/rehab facility. She gets random schedules, but mostly every weekend and she works night. I coulnd't do that! I mainly want to have a career that will allow me some flexibility while raising my kids. Not to mention nursing school be very intense. I could not put off my household responsibilities on my husband, in order to go to nursing school. That's why I thought if I do hair for the next 5-10 years, if I still want to go into nursing I can. Who says I have to be one thing for the rest of my life???:coollook: I have been to career counselors , I need real advice from REAL people...I appreciate it thusfar~

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O.K, yes I should clarify some things. I am a stay at home mom and have been for several years now. Little one just turned four, other two are in school. I am NOT the main breadwinner. My husband supports which ever way I decide. That is why I want to make the right choice and that involves still being here for my kids...taking to school, maybe picking up...no nights, or very few. I don't mind saturdays, but not all weekend every weekend. A girlfriend of mine is an LPN and works in an acute/rehab facility. She gets random schedules, but mostly every weekend and she works night. I coulnd't do that! I mainly want to have a career that will allow me some flexibility while raising my kids. Not to mention nursing school be very intense. I could not put off my household responsibilities on my husband, in order to go to nursing school. That's why I thought if I do hair for the next 5-10 years, if I still want to go into nursing I can. Who says I have to be one thing for the rest of my life???:coollook: I have been to career counselors , I need real advice from REAL people...I appreciate it thusfar~

Ok - :D

Well, RN's have more flexibility locally. One great place to work when you have kids is a free-standing surgical center. NO weekends or holidays. And I have a friend who worked 2 days a week and got full benefits plus a bonus every year and the docs who owned the facility took them to Reno every holiday season. :up:

I worked full time when I got my RN at 40. My shift was 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. so I was always home with my kids. I was exhausted but I was home.

I got burned out - always said yes to extra shift out of guilt. Then found myself preggers at 42! After I had my son I went back part-time. I worked ER, OB and med/surg in a rural hospital.

Now I work one day at week at hospice. And I go to school on Wednesdays in an accelerated RN-BSN program. My son stays on the ranch with my in-laws which is so great. Yesterday he helped grandma cook apples for canning.

Nursing school is intense and time consuming . .. many times I stood over the sink crying silent tears. But my husband and family were very supportive.

I counsel young people to get their education first due to the difficulty of doing that after having kids. My kids got that BEAT into their little brains. (jk - sorta):coollook:

One of the things we did when I quit working full time was look at our budget and did some major cutting. Amazing how much you can save.

I wish you the best. Give your mom a hug for me. And save one for yourself. :icon_hug:

steph

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Once i finish and get my license, I plan on dabbling in other things ...Going to a technical school to learn how to fix cars when Im not at work

I would also love to learn how to do hair and make up, maybe find a Boces after I get my degree so I have something to fall back on.

Follow the one that makes you happy.

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Why not do both? I'm not a licensed stylist but I enjoy doing hair and I want to be a nurse. I make beauty care products and one day I may be able to integrate that interest into health care. But with regard to your concern about 12 hour shifts, I know stylists who work that long and even longer hours than that. Also except in rare cases nurses make more money and have much more career stability than stylists do. Stylists who make a lot of money have to find and keep their own clients just think how it would be if nurses had to scout for their own patients. If you're concerned about having kid friendly hours you can always look for nursing jobs outside of a hospital - examples, private duty, or private practice.

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Ok, reality check...just talked to my hairstylist. She is in the process of revamping a room in her home so that she can have her clients come there. She is not making any money at the salon because it is so slow. This is one of the busiest salons in our general area. The older more seasoned stylist are still doing OK but the ones that have only been a round for a few years are struggling....yikes! This economy is having an impact on even them! Ok, so my question now is...should I do this 12 month LPN for $8K that starts Sept.09 or do I do an ADN that is 2 years for $26K. I just know if I try to do the community college program It will take me 5 years....I'd like to get out working so Im inclined to do the LPN. Yes, If I go into nursing I want to be an RN but I'd also like to get out and work sooner than later.

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Ok, reality check...just talked to my hairstylist. She is in the process of revamping a room in her home so that she can have her clients come there. She is not making any money at the salon because it is so slow. This is one of the busiest salons in our general area. The older more seasoned stylist are still doing OK but the ones that have only been a round for a few years are struggling....yikes! This economy is having an impact on even them! Ok, so my question now is...should I do this 12 month LPN for $8K that starts Sept.09 or do I do an ADN that is 2 years for $26K. I just know if I try to do the community college program It will take me 5 years....I'd like to get out working so Im inclined to do the LPN. Yes, If I go into nursing I want to be an RN but I'd also like to get out and work sooner than later.

Firstly, I can say that the economy is playing a role in my beauty. I seriously need to get my hair trimmed AND highlighted--but we've been cut back to 36 hours a week at the bank and boom, there went all of my hair money.

As far as the LPN vs the RN, why will it take you five years to do the ADN? The pre-reqs? You could always take a CNA class and start working within 6 months and then take classes while working. But ultimately, it comes down to what you want to do. If you want to work in LTC then go for the LPN. If you dream is to be in a hospital or private practice I would recommend the RN.

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:yeahthat: I'd go RN too.

steph

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Adams mommy, and spidey's mom....even with the hefty price tag? Do you think it's a good idea? The waitlist here for the ADN is nearly 2 years. I still have the main pre-req's to take and cannot see me handling more than 1 at a time, so yes, 4-5 years to even get in. I guess Im answering my own question.....LOL

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

You'll make probably twice as much per hour as an RN as you will as an LVN. And your job prospects will be far greater. I simply couldn't do nursing home nursing.

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