Sassiemama in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been toggling back between going to beauty school or becoming a nurse. Im in my thirties, and have 3 children. Nursing seems so demanding and very long shifts Doing hair, on the other hand would be fun and Im good at it.

Im at a point in my life where we need to bring in more income and Im ready to start a career after being home raising kids. What should I do? My husband supports either one as long as Im happy and can stick with it. Lee in Waynesboro, Mississippi. I have been to both nursing and beauty school. With nursing school you have to be very dedicated and study for long hours which is very hard with a family.

I love nursing and it is a very stable job unlike hairdressing. A nurse always has a steady income and benefits, but has to work holidays. A hairdresser has better hours and once established can make really good money.

The best advice I can tell you is if you have to have insurance and stable income go into nursing but, if you want lots of family time and love hairdressing become a hairdresser. The best advice I can tell you is if you have to have insurance and stable income go into nursing, but if you want lots of family time and love hairdressing become a hairdresser. I have put alot of years into being a hairdresser and now that I am very sucessful, I am never home for my family.

It is like owning your own buisness. That means nights weekends and smaller holidays like memorial day etc. And the options are not as open. You could work in a doctors office mon-fri, nights at a hospital , or be a school nurse and be home when your kids are. I am going to become a nurse because I can work my schedule to be home with my kids more. For some reason it says Im in tucson Do I think I will love it But I will have a good income, have choices in the areas I can work, and even work only when I want with registry.

The other issue I have is I get wrist pain and pain in my right arm from time to time. Don't know if becoming a stylist will be the best way to go??? Have you checked out the other forums? It is incredible the support here. Let me know when you start the cna program. I would like to hear how it goes. Yes, I will let you know.

And, yes, I have thought about that! Once an RN do you need to become an esthetician in order to do those types of treatments?

Alot of training is involved, as with any other nurse specialty i would imagine. Yeah Yeah in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am having this debate myself. Cosmo or nursing school. I turned down the thought of nursing school because of the cost and because I went to school to be a Medical Assistant and had a test tube of bodily fluids fly on me and totally gross me out Part of me wants to do both But as I am getting older the stability of nursing really appeals to me.

I am going to be pondering these two all summer. Get it checked out before it becomes any severe damage occurs beyond tendons and affects nerve tissue. Nurses have to lift patients and stylist can deal with repetative motion problems. Your pain could be from tendonitis or a ganglion cyst if its an on-going problem. There are treatments and therapy to help it. I do have a ganglion cyst actually. I only get the pain from time to time. I am going to get it looked at soon.

But, you are right! Both jobs can be physically demanding. I am actually a medical assistant as well, and I cannot make enough money in that field to warrant even working full time. I have two that will need daycare. So, I think I've made my choice It will provide me with stability and the ability to make good money. Plus, I like the idea of working registry when I need some down time. If we ever get to the point that I only need to work a couple of days a week, I can. Also, you are right about there being so many aspects of nursing to choose from.

It may be a long road to get that R. N but I truly believe it will be worth it. Doing hair may be more fun, but I cannot see me doing hair at I can be a nurse until I'm way into my 60's! I went to medical assisant school before beauty school and hated it. I couldnt find a job, that is what sent me to beauty school. I started my first day of biology today and it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. And i wasnt the oldest one in the class, in fact i was one of the younger ones.

Its funny you mentioned not picturing yourself doing hair at 50 sassiemama, I was thinking the same thing , and i do hair for a living. I have to say it fells good to get the ball rolling.

I actually have a few classes under my belt. But, since Im going the LPN route first, a CNA is required. So, I need to get that out of the way in the fall sept. I may get right in, in January or I might get in the Aug. I will just have to wait and see. Teresa in Holliston, Massachusetts. I am a nurse who just finished Cosmetology school. I will go for my license this Week. I find that nursing is great money. I have checked out opportunities for hair jobs and have found in the area of where I am.

People may not say it but they are looking more for the 20year old.

I am in my 40's. But look and feel much younger. I have found many places that want assistants for yrs which I do not want to do at this time in my life. If I had to do it all over again I believe I would of done the Cosmo school first and then maybe thought of nursing later if at all. You have to follow your hearts desire and have a real drive to want to do either. SassieMom in Phoenix, Arizona. Wow, thanks so much for the replies. I just talked to my frined who is a hairdresser.

Business has been super slow, and she is behind on her rent booth that is. She is looking for an hourly job in a different field and then working to convert a room in her house so she can have her clients come there. The salons have been slow with no walk in traffic.

I guess maybe at age 33, I should not be trying to get into the beauty industry Or something along those lines. I should have gone to beauty school in my 20's. Nursing will be alot more stable, and I can always work part time. It is always best to have a career before you get married and have kids I am still in school for nursing, and it is hard to juggle work, family, and school but i still feel like it will all be worth it in the end.

The economy is so bad right now that the newbies at my salon are really struggling. There are day they sit for 8 hours and make NOTHING. I luckily am still busy with regulars, but the usual extra income that happens around the holidays wont be there. I was wondering if I made the right choice skipping nursing school for cosmetology school, then I realized that I could have never done this in my twenties.

I am realizing I am a good student, which I never tought I was before. So dont think of yourself as half way through life. When people ask me why I am making a career change, I just say that I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up. Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida. You will always have job opportunities. With beauty school, you have to depend on other people making money - so they can give it to you.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: Sassiemama in Phoenix, Arizona said: Pleas go to nursing school. Nursing you can work in other areas You have more doors open. It is not a glamorous job as you might think.

Lisa in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. There is a huge difference between beauty school and nursing. We're talking glamour and up beat things compared to serious, often life changing events you deal with every day. Do you want to be in a happy place or a serious, often solemn place. You can always work in a doctor's office and get away from all the heavy stuff, but the money there is very low.

Hospitals are the only ones that pay good and the stress is unbelievable and the commitment is very high. You think nursing is demanding ,think again,when you are dealing with peoples beauty issues ,you are also dealing with their insecurities as well.

It is not all what you think. It is the most demanding job I have ever had. You are not only listening to problems,you have to make people beautifull as well,that is not always easy.

Sometimes clients have high expectations as to what they want and what you can give them. If they have bad hair they want it to look like they just walked of the runway.

LVN $15, or Cosmetology $3, -I LOVE BOTH ,,,,which one? and why? EDUCATION | Los Angeles - Yelp

Some times it can be acheived and some times it can't. You are also dealing with womans emotions and we know what that is all about. I love doing hair,however,it is all the other baggage I hate.

Azi in Woodland Hills, California. So So funny, im 33 yars old hair stylist,with 8 years exprince,how thinks about going to nursing school. I have been a stylist for 6 years and I am too am debating the whole "stay a hairstylist or go to nursing school" issue.

I already have an associates in applied science so I really want to further my education. Working in the salon setting has its ups and downs. Great hours, very flexible. Pay, not so great. NO benefits, no job security. When I get stood up or there is an ice storm that closes the city down for a week, I still have to pay boothrent! Like others have stated above, if you want to make good money you have to be there nights and weekends.

I have a 1 year old and luckily I get to stay home with her during the day and my husband watches her at night and weekends while I work. Only problem is that I never get to spend time with him. I want to go back to nursing school now, like I wish I had 10 years ago. I dont want to be saying this 10 years from now. Good luck to us all!

Good move ,go back to school. Hair dressing is a short career. Like you said no benefits no money. Like you said cosmo school is for the very young to start out. Being in your forties and trying to find a job in the beauty industry is not easy.

You need many years under your belt to get the real good jobs. To make good money you need to work in the hi end salons. You may have a chance if your older and have years of experience. It is a superficial environment. DEBBIE in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. I found this forum and i have been in Manufacturing for 18 years. Just layed off at I was thinking about education in beauty or nursing.

After reading your post i think nursing is where it's at. I enjoy caring for the elderly and the job market will never dry up. No offense,but don't go into the beauty industry at your age. At 54 you will be in for a rough ride. Go back to school and learn the health industry such as health coordinator. In the health industry they are not fussy about hiring older workers. They have a lot of entry level positions you could get into. The hairdressing business ,is for the young to start off in.

Reality sets in very quickly. I have seen it in a lot of the salons I worked in over the years,and I have seen people left very unhappy.

Azi in Woodland Hills, California said: So So funny,becuse im in my 30s,im a stylist with 8 years exprience, and now want to start go school to become rn,. Yes, you are right a lot of places are looking for people reguardless of their age. Most people will give you a chance but you have to prove yourself.

This I must say is harder for thirty something and up because sit in your chair and expect a superb job because they assume you must have been doing this a long time.

However no offense but most cosmetology school just don't give you the edge to make great money up front. I takes years of watching, learning, going to classes and experince ablove all to make it in the beauty industry. It is a great career I started when I was ninteen and have worked for a company for five years. I can just in the past year say with comfidence I can do anything that walks through the door for color, color weaves, perms, relaxers, straighteners, extensions, cuts, color corrections etc.

Any nurses out there who can give me a idea on what to expect for the long haul and cost thanks. Tree in Holliston, Massachusetts. I have my license in Nursing and Cosmetology. I got my nursing degree first. Worked for 10yrs then went to Cosmo school. If you are considering nursing go for minimum assoicate degree which will give you the title of registered nurse or Rn. Lpn which is a licensed nurse takes about 10months days full time.

Or you can go 2 years and get associate degree which is the better because you will mk min 5 to 10 dollarS more and hr than LPN. Also your options as to what you can do in the nursing field are much wider.

You can pick and choose the jobs. If you are single and like to travel you could do traveling nursing money is really good.

Medical Assistant Salary Information | US News Best Jobs

YOu could wk perdiem and mk up to School will cost you roughly at state school 10 to 15, for program for Assoicate. If you choose LPN and go thru a technical school you could pay from Lastly schooling is very involved lots of math and drug calcalations all these things to be considered before venturing into Nursing. I over the last 5yrs wanted to go to Cosmo school. I wish I had done it sooner because I love hair and everything about it.

I love cutting and coloring. Yes I took and unbelivable pay cut working in hair but it is my passion and I am very happy. Which is what counts the most "Happiness" enjoying what you do. Dont get me wrong I love people and had many satisfying years taking care of others that also brought me joy.

I believe everything happens for a reason so many things in nursing made me who I am today. But deep down I was always the hairdressor want a be and now I am.

I have good life! Jessica Leigh in Trenton, New Jersey. I have a few friends who are nurses and a few friends who are cosmetologist. There is a reason why there is a shortage in the nursing industry, in fact, there was just an article about it on msnbc the other day. It's an extremely demanding job!! My one friend had to deal with cleaning up the elderly on the cardiac floor for years. Sure you get to change IVS, give needles, insert catheters, etc You risk contracting diseases like staph infection or even hepatitis, goodness forbid someone accidently sticks you with a needle and it HAS HAPPENED.

My other friend works in the ER, she has people die all of the time. She said death is messy business and guess who has to clean up the goo that ends up on the sheets? The nurse takes the fall for everything and is often treated like a peon by the on-staff doctor. The schedule is hectic, you often work long grueling hours without a break, including weekends and holidays.

My one friend has worked on Christmas for years because that is the schedule they forced her to take. As a newbie, you will get the brunt of all the work that the more seasoned nurses don't feel like doing.

People watch way too many tv shows like ER, it's not like that at all. Cosmetology may be less stable and you may not make a fortune but there are a variety of jobs to look for once you obtain your license. Hair cutting, coloring, nails, make-up, waxing, spa work, becoming a cosmetology teacher you need an extra hours for that , the possibilities are endless.

You can often work flexible hours and you never work on a holiday. If you stick to local, hole in the wall chop shops, you probably wont do well, but if you can get a job at a more cutting edge salon near a major city , you can make a decent living. Most would rather commute to a salon in the city than work in a smelly, depressing hospital. What is really depressing is working in a salon and watching your coworkers sit around not making any money and worrying how they are going to pay their bills.

Nursing and hairdressing are clearly to very different careers, but in the current economy, something stable seems very appealing to me. There is little to no flexability at a salon if you want to do really well because you have to be there when your clients need you, and you can only do one thing.

As a hairdresser who happens to have a large amount of nursing clients, I know first hand the possibilities are numerous. Some are in ER, some are consultants to hospitals, some are in nursing homes , alot are traveling the country , they even work with me in a very upscale med spa, and they seem to be one of the few people that can still afford to come to a salon like mine to get pampered.

I am a nursing student about to graduate in May and let me tell you.. And you must learn about all types of clients even though they may not be the type you want to work with. I have been put through the ringer with this school and if your heart is not totally into it, it is very difficult to pull through. How possible do you guys think it would be to work as an RN while doing cosmetology school.

The way I look at it is MA, EKG tech, Phlebotomist. ME in Memphis, Tennessee. I am a EKG Tech thinking about becoming a hair dresser.

I am here to tell you that the pay is very low as a EKG tech. I honestly think I can make better money by doing hair. I am in the same prediciment. I have the option to start bursing school this January or Cosmotology school I was looking into Paul Mitchell School in June. I have all my pre-reqs for nursing done, so I was thinkin about doing nursing school AFTER cosmotology school as a back up job in case business is slow in a salon. I say, follow your heart.

I have been a CNA for 2 years and work very closely with nurses.. And yes, working in a hospital can be pretty disgusting, I have definetly been bled on and even peed on. Not to mention people in the hospital are generally not happy campers. I totally agree, there is a reason the pay is good and there is a shortage My husband wants me to finish my nursing school first..

I'd rather love my job and be poor than hate my job and be rich. I'm so glad I found this forum!!! Tree in Holliston, Massachusetts said: Thank you for your comment. I am about to start nursing school but I toured a Cosmotology school and fell in love! My husband wants me to finish nursing school and I told him I would finish just for a job to fall back on.

If you find a job you love you will never work a day in your life. Hi, I am not a nurse but about to start a BSN program at University of Texas Health Science Center. Thank you all for your replies, Im still in the same predicament. STill have yet to make a final decision. I had to take a fulltime job when my husband was laid-off a few months ago. Now Im back to trying to get this figured out. Maybe LPN school, that is only a year. See how that goes. If I like that, then great.

If not I can then go to beauty school and then I will have both to fall back on. What have you guys decided??? I am thankful to be accepted into a RN school starting summer term for 2 years, it will be really hard work, but when done I will have many options after my 1st year or 2 of experience.

I wish you all the best but try taking a CNA course to see if you really want to be a nurse, many schools demand this requirement and it shows you if you have what it takes to deal with demanding residents and nurses who treat you like a flunky, if you like I love caring for people even in those circumstances you have what it takes to go further, if not you will enjoy hair more.

Seems to me RN is much better job. That being said it is no easy and long hours with nights and weekends. Not the kind of ob you can just deccide on without some passion. I think if I can see positives in my current job as a cna I can and will enjoy working as a RN. Its a lot of hard work and many hours, but also I would think more variety in the field then say being a hygienist or something else.

I have a friend who has been a hairstylist for over 20 yrs she is having a tough time in this economy and we live in portland Oregon metro area, she is trying to find odd jobs to make some money because she is struggling financially. Janet in Ottawa, Ontario. Hairdressing is just as stressful as being a nurse. Being a nurse you don't have to work those long hours if you do other kinds of medical jobs such as working for a health care company etc. A hairstylist job is not as fun as you think.

I love to do hair,however,there is a lot of politics in the salon. Competition is deadly at times. If you are the kind of person who doesn't want to be involved in the ring,they call you a snob. Megan in San Antonio, Texas. I finally decided to start the ADN program here in San Antonio.

I really just want a good income and there seem to be so many more opportunities. Plus I just got a job as a CNA in a army hospital so when I become a nurse I can be federally employed as well. MAYBE after I am a nurse I will still want to do cosmetology, and have nursing as a backup. Tree in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Thats the way to go. I am a nurse and a cosmetologist.

I did nursing first for 11 years and then Cosmo.

MILAN INSTITUTE RENO-SPARKS MEDICAL ASSISTANT

I found that in hair you really need to start when you are young 20's the oldest, unless you know someone in the business. I look like I am in my early 30's and still that is old for Cosmo. Also with hair you will be assisting for a year or so. Which unless your in a high end salon it will not be fun.

Anyhow I have been doing hair over the last year and just cut bk my hours in hair to go bk to nursing because I needed extra monies. Nursing is definitly a better paying job. Nursing up to 30 to 50 an hour.

Hair with tips you still would never make that much well at least not in the area of where I live. Lastly I have found people you take care of in nursing are so much more appreciative. People are much more difficult when they are in your chair and they are alot more particular because they are expecting you at times to perform a miracle with their hair.

Its a different world between the two. You are so right,you have taken the words out of my mouth. Need I say more. Like I said before ,it looks glamorous from the out side, when you face the reality of being a hairstylist at an older age and your staring out it will hit you like a ton of bricks. I was a cosmetologist right after high school and put myself through college in the 80s. I became I flight attendant and have been flying for 23 years. I currently work full-time in critical care and I also continue to fly internationally.

I only do hair for family and friends. I've always enjoyed doing hair but never considered it a career. It can not be compared to professional nursing, IMO. I also have been a hairstylist for many years,and you are right ,it is for the young. I have been telling older woman to think twice about entering a field that looks fun from the out side. If it is a career you want ,go back to school and do something else.

Some will say ,it is always been my dream to be a hairstylist. I to have dreams, I have always wanted to be an actor,but realistically speaking,if I went to try now at my age,there would be little chance of me becoming an actor that could make a great living. I often think back and say why didn't I do it when I was young enough. Well I didn't so I became a young hairstylist.

Now that I am older and have a large client base which took me years to build I could sayI will stay here or I will go to another type of work ,where I can make money. Either by opening a business or going back to school to get upgrading in computers software programs and learn essential office skills for todays standards. The opportunities are endless. Queen B in Orange, Texas. I think you should pick the career that your most interested in.

You don't wanna pick a carreer just for the pay but for your enjoyment. If doing hair is what you love go for it. Plus you'll have alot of time for your family than you would being a nurse. Im in Nursing School and trust me if your only doing it for the pay and job security it is not the carreer for you. I also do hair and plan to own salon soon. What are you the most passionate about?

Have you had any experiences in nursing high school programs, CNA training, etc.. If the required hrs. Also know this, more income is not the answer and stablity,what is that, in these times nothing's for sure Praying 4U in GA!

This is an interesting thread. I am a stay at home mom who's going to have all children in school full time starting next school year.

I am 32 and seriously considering going to cosmetology school. I worked as a phlebotomist previously and even though I was very good at it, totally underestimated the emotional strain working in health care can have on a person.

I worked in a busy lab and the people that come to have lab work done aren't doing so usually because they are healthy. Very sick people AND KIDS are who I spent my days with, and I have to tell you, it was depressing! It was one little 4 year old bald girl with cancer that finally did me in. Anyone considering a career in nursing needs to consider these things very seriously. I must say this thread has made me at least question my decision to attend beauty school.

We depend on my husband's income but I wanted to contribute financially doing something I think I would really enjoy. My mother had a beauty shop out of our home when I was a kid and it seems ideal, but I will give it some more thought.

Thanks to all who have posted! Beauty school or Nursing school? Get new comments by email My Email You can cancel email alerts at anytime. Sassiemama in Phoenix, Arizona months ago I have been toggling back between going to beauty school or becoming a nurse. I totally agree Mary, here's to nursing and self sufficiency. I want to educate my self, but at least in the filed that pays well.

So So funny,becuse im in my 30s,im a stylist with 8 years exprience, and now want to start go school to become rn, Yes, you are right a lot of places are looking for people reguardless of their age. Any nurses out there who can give me a idea on what to expect for the long haul and cost thanks I am a EKG Tech thinking about becoming a hair dresser. Any nurses out there who can give me a idea on what to expect for the long haul and cost thanks Hi, I am not a nurse but about to start a BSN program at University of Texas Health Science Center.

Top Cities for Hairstylist Jobs San Antonio, TX 80 Houston, TX 68 Charlotte, NC 48 Las Vegas, NV 45 Chicago, IL 45 Find Hairstylist Jobs by City, State, or ZIP. For jobs in France, visit Indeed France. Comments 1 to 50 of Sassiemama in Phoenix, Arizona months ago. Lee in Waynesboro, Mississippi months ago. The best advice I can tell you is if you have to have insurance and stable income go into nursing but, if you want lots of family time and love hairdressing become a hairdresser - Was this comment helpful?

Yeah Yeah in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania months ago. Teresa in Holliston, Massachusetts months ago. SassieMom in Phoenix, Arizona months ago.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida months ago. I totally agree Mary, here's to nursing and self sufficiency - Was this comment helpful? Lisa in Rolling Meadows, Illinois months ago. Azi in Woodland Hills, California months ago. DEBBIE in Port Saint Lucie, Florida months ago. I enjoy caring for the elderly and the job market will never dry up - Was this comment helpful?