BellaOnline Forums Career Business Coach Having a tough time making a career decision!!

Hi! I need some guidance on making a career decision. I have been a massage therapist for 15 years. I am also an RN. I graduated from nursing school December, 2009 and got a job right away. So, for the last year, I have been doing nursing 3 days a week (with the occassional bonus shift) and massage therapy 1 day a week (occassionally two days a week to accomodate my clients). I am frustrated. I keep saying to myself "oh, in 3 months I'll give up massage", "oh, when I get my next nursing raise I'll quit massage", "when I pay off my car I'll quit" (done!), "when I pay off my credit card I'll quit" (done also!). Well, I keep giving myself deadlines, but I never come through. I enjoy doing massage and I love my clients, but I feel stretched too thin. Nursing is a 40 hour job crammed into 3 days. On the days I have massage clients, I don't want to do it. When I get there I am fine, but I feel burned out. My fears of giving up massage are: 1) I don't want to disappoint my clients; 2) it's an extra $500/month (pre-tax, over 4-5 days per month; 3) I like to see my clients and once I give up massage the reality is I won't see many of them again; 4) change is scary for me. My reasons for giving up massage are: 1) I feel like I'm never home and always working; 2) I can work 1 bonus shift per month at the hospital and can make the $500 I make doing 4-5 days of massage; 3) I feel like I'm neglecting my home, husband, pets because I'm gone so much' 4) I'm tired! So, I could really use some guidance in helping me make this decision. The reality is, I really want to give up massage, but I'm really scared to do so. Please help! Thanks!

Wow, you are indeed talented. At age 52, my home life is kind of important, but so is paying the bills in this recession. How about cutting back on BOTH careers if you want to keep BOTH. Why are you fearful of making a change? Is it because of the recession? Or like me, got to be independent (lol). I am curious to see what other posters will say as this is quite a situation. Wish I had your talents. Now with the massage, I have heard it can really affect your hands as you age. That alone would help me to leave it alone or cut back. Don't like pain - Yuk! Please let us know what you decide to do and thanks for sharing.

Hi! To clarify, nursing is my priority and cutting back to 2 days per week is not an option - I love nursing. As for massage, I've been doing it for 15 years and I'm ready to be done with it, but just can't seem to "cut the cord" and quit and I'm not 100% sure why I can't seem to do it.