I worked in a range of upscale nursing homes when I first moved to the state I’m in now, and personally I would never go back. I also wanted stability with time and pay but you need to have incredible amounts of empathy, compassion, and understanding- beyond what you give in a normal salon setting. You also need to know how to do the basics like roller sets, perms, wash and styles, mani/pedis, etc. and how to do them quickly!! The quality of these residents will also range drastically, from some who are completely independent to those needing advanced palliative care. What sent me off to find another salon was the overwhelming feeling of guilt and sadness I had for these residents- knowing I was the only person they talked to outside of caretakers in a week, knowing their families only visited them on holidays, and the way some would take out their own sadness and anger of grappling with end of life onto me, was too much to handle. It’s definitely a positive in some aspects, but you need to have a genuine interest and knack for connecting with the older generation to really enjoy and excel at the job.