To give up the professional job I went to uni for...

[Mooey89]

And become a beautician?

I am a social worker.
I used to love it, now I'm burning out. I want a job that means I can fit it flexibly around DC, and I love all things beauty - I do hair up, make up etc for any weddings or events that friends are going to - it has always been a little hankering of mine.

I'm thinking about it more and more seriously now, but it just seems so crazy when I worked so hard for my job and I'm established, well respected, hopefully reasonably good at it (and modest!)

Anyone else had a huge career change?!

I have been a Nurse for 30years and am desperate to leave and have a complete career change! Part of me feels bad and that it's a waste of all that training but the other half just feels life is too short to be this miserable. It's hard financially though as no other job will pay the same and I have to have a decent amount of money coming in each month as i have 4 kids to support.

I really feel for you. I'd also say you sound more like extremely stressed than burned out - I'd associate burning out with sleeping soundly because you just don't have the resources to give a shit any more.

What about doing 3 or 4 days a week in a different area of your profession, with a complete day a week to focus on beauty therapy and building up a client base? I'm just saying this having retrained myself and having a dh who moved into self employment. The vertiginous plunge in your income plus no more pension, NI contributions etc etc really does alter your life more than you would think.

I feel for you too op. I'm always daydreaming about packing in my stressful healthcare career and running a cafe with homemade food and nice opening hours. One day I will do it and maybe you'll be a beautician. Why not? You have a valuable qualification under your belt and the doors open to returning to it if needs be.

I went from being a doctor to a PT. My only regret is not doing it sooner.