Moving to Seattle area

[dansamy]

I have close family moving to Seattle Washington in September. I presently live in a right to work, non-union state where wages are very low.

I have 6 years of peds med/surg experience & PALS. I'm currently in the process of choosing an RN-BSN program. I plan to take ACLS in October.

I'm seriously considering leaving Alabama next year to join our family in Seattle. (The family that is moving includes my husband's identical twin. My husband suffers from major depression disorder. I'm concerned that this amount of distance from his twin will be detrimental to his mental health.)

It seems like Seattle proper is quite expensive. What areas around Seattle are less expensive in terms of housing? What facilities have strong peds departments? Or is it like here, with an excellent Children's Hospital all the rest of the facilities have a peds "afterthought"? That's mostly med/surg with a sprinkle of peds?

[Jenngirl34RN]

Seattle is pretty expensive, and so is Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, etc.). If I were you I would aim for North of Seattle, like Edmonds, Lynnwood, Bothell, or even Everett. It is cheaper, but there are still good hospitals around and they are not too far from the city itself. UW's Bothell campus has a really good RN-BSN program.

Seattle Children's Hospital is a really great pediatric hospital. They usually require a BSN, but if you have a lot of pediatric experience and are working towards your BSN you may be able to find a place there. It is a Magnet hospital, so a lot of people apply for the positions. There are a lot of other really good hospitals in the area, although I don't know how big the pediatric departments are. Usually if it is something really serious, kids are sent to Children's.

[dansamy]

Usually if it is something really serious kids are sent to Children's.[/quote']

That's how it is here. I am so tired of taking care of post surgical adults and getting a smattering of peds during high peds times of the year.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

You can also move to the Tacoma area, or the outlying area of Puyallup, Sumner, and work at Mary Bridge. It's a very good children's hospital in the south end. It is a lot less expensive and the traffic isn't horrific like Seattle is.

[Gampopa]

How is the commute from Vashon Island to Tacoma (Mary Bridge)? My wife and I are beginning to look at relocation possibilities but aren't sure of the ferry commute.