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???

If you would rather not work weekends or nights, I would not be a hairstylist. You have to be available when your clients are and a lot of people work the good old 9-5. I dunno.. Anyone take a day off to get their hair done? I never have but I suppose I don't know what other people do.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

Just make sure if you go the nursing school route you and your family are ready to make the commitment. Its a lot of work and a lot of time. Albeit, its temporary and worth it in the long run, make sure that EVERYONE is aware that NS will take a lot/most of your time.

Also, the suggestion that someone made about getting your CNA first is a GREAT idea. That way you can get into the medical field and work and see how your family handles you working and studying before you dive in with two feet

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I'd say do nursing and then do whatever else if you still want to. Other than the 12 h shifts you mentioned, what else is making you think nursing isn't for you? I quit nursing school (pre nursing) years ago to get married and go to school for something else. I regretted it so much (the going to school for something else...not getting married lol). While there is a lot about nursing that scares me (liability, what if I screw up, what if I'm not a good nurse) where there is a will, there's a way. I'm not sure of your age, but I'm betting your not 90 and you still have a lot of life ahead of you to venture into things you want. I'd say nursing first because it's stable and can always provide you with the money to do what you love.

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I'd say do nursing and then do whatever else if you still want to. Other than the 12 h shifts you mentioned, what else is making you think nursing isn't for you? I quit nursing school (pre nursing) years ago to get married and go to school for something else. I regretted it so much (the going to school for something else...not getting married lol). While there is a lot about nursing that scares me (liability, what if I screw up, what if I'm not a good nurse) where there is a will, there's a way. I'm not sure of your age, but I'm betting your not 90 and you still have a lot of life ahead of you to venture into things you want. I'd say nursing first because it's stable and can always provide you with the money to do what you love.

See, I was thinking the opposite. Do something fun and not so rigorous as far as the schooling part. Then when Im older (Im 33 now) I can go back for nursing...when my kids are grown. Im so afraid I won't be able to handle school with my 3 children and their schools schedules and activities. Not that my husband ins't supportive, he is. But he won't pick up the slack with alot of the housework, and running kids around. He just isn't like that. It seems that when Im older and my kids are grown, I will be able to focus and not have so many other responsibilites. I have read so many posts about how time consuming nursing school is and how stressful it can be. Not sure I can swing it all now. :bugeyes:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele.

You mentioned that for prereqs classes, you don't think you can handle more than one class at a time. Because of this, I don't think you are ready for nursing school, time wise. Nursing school is very time consuming. I believe you should be able to handle at least the workload of 3 prereq classes at one time, comparable. I am not saying this is what you have to do. I also would suggest to go for your RN when you are ready. Simply because there are more options available once you are done. ( By the way, an ADN program at a community college should cost you less than 10000, and it took me 3 years altogether with prerqs) As someone mentioned, if you are in need of money now and you enjoy patient care, you could go for PCT and work on you prereqs. After a view years, your children will be a little older and you will possible be more able to handle nursing school.

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Specializes in LTC.

I know a LPN who also owns her own hair salon :)

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I know a LPN who also owns her own hair salon :)

Can you elaborate on that?

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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.

Agreed...I have a friend in an LPN school and while technically she finished sooner than the 2 year RN program, the reality is because the LPN program here goes straight through the summer, the actual amount of months spent at school is the same as the RN program...

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I dont mean to be rude, but I am curious if this question was for real?? Standing on your feet for 10 hours cutting hair for little money or being on your feet for 8 -12 hours for lots more money? And I took one or two classes a semester with my pre requisites to get my feet wet and get family used to school schedule( took lots of night classes too) and by the time I was done, my children were in school full time and I was in nursing school..graduating this May 09 and I cant wait!!!

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there are a bazillion hairsytlists around. so, you probably wont be making any money from it

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I dont mean to be rude, but I am curious if this question was for real?? Standing on your feet for 10 hours cutting hair for little money or being on your feet for 8 -12 hours for lots more money? And I took one or two classes a semester with my pre requisites to get my feet wet and get family used to school schedule( took lots of night classes too) and by the time I was done, my children were in school full time and I was in nursing school..graduating this May 09 and I cant wait!!!

Yes, this question is for real. There are stylist out there that love what they do, and would NEVER consider nursing as a career. Why is it soooo weird that I may love the beauty industry? Yes, I realize the pros and cons of...both. But, I have seen myself in both roles. Just wanted some feedback. Im happy your have found what you love and that it works for your family. Maybe that will be my path too. I just cannot imagine that you find it soooo strange????

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there are a bazillion hairsytlists around. so, you probably wont be making any money from it

That's funny! There are also a bazillion people around that need haircuts....I don't see your point.

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