splunking

Totally disagree. There is more 'farmland' north of Everett, but you won't find nicer people. And cost of living is far more affordable. I live in the Arlington area. LOVE IT. Great school district, great shopping! Things are really growing here, but not congested or metro. We have a costco, target now.. we even have the 'Seattle Premium Outlets" and the Tulalip Casino close by. AWESOME SHOPPING. We were especially picky about the school districts... Marysville is in some major transition, so not so good, Arlington is good, Lakewood is a smaller district, but good... too much further north isn't good, Mt. Vernon is awfull. I love that we can still go see the action without being a part of it. We take the kids to the children's museum in Everett, and the Woodland Park Zoo, or the Seattle Science Center all the time. We love to go downtown for the Ballet, or Musicals. I just can't afford/ don't want to live there. We have WAY lower crime, and a nicer, more affordable house. ANyway, just my $0.02 Good Luck! - Cindy

I've been working from home for about 4 years now doing graphic and website design. It's been ideal for someone who really wanted to be home with her 3 very young children. I've been able to add to our income significantly, and I have fun with it and keep my brain active with things other than baby talk . I will be starting school this next quarter, to finish my pre-req's I started before our kids came along I work for a group that posts design 'projects' and the designers in the team can choose to participate or not. It will be ideal for me while trying to attend school. I also get referrals, and have decided to have one client at a time... if they want me bad enought they can wait til I have an opening, but I know I will not be able to handle more than that during school. My parents actually think I should stick with what I'm doing now. It's productive, and really is a good fit for us right now, but I feel like the season has come to finish my nursing degree. My youngest will be in kindergarten soon, and I'm confident I can make it work with our family schedule. Also my husband is 100% on board, so that is awesome. There are some legitimate ways to work from home, my only bit of advice would be to stay away from MLM's. Good luck! - Cindy

Sounds like a party! I CAN'T WAIT! - Cindy

Okay, what the heck am I getting myself into. Did all of you fall into nursing, or was it something you always wanted to do when you were younger? I've always wanted to be a nurse. I sort of fell into what I am doing now (graphic design), and I'm good at it, and love it, however, I've always wanted to go back and finish my nursing degree... and fulfill my dream. I know it's not going to be easy! But YIKES! I also have some long term goals that shouldn't keep me in one place for too long. I want to work with my RN for a few years, return to school to get my BSN and then eventually my masters... who knows how long after that. I am way interested in working night shifts in Labor and Delivery, because it would work perfectly with my family schedule, and so far it's the most appealing to me. Management sounds like fun too (don't kill me) I just see a lot of room for reform there. I know, a pipe dream, anyway... anyone out there relatively happy with their jobs? - Cindy Nursing Student

I am extremely grateful for c-sec's. I had labor with first, ended up to c-sec (birth canal too narrow) Second attempted v-back, also failed ended up with EMERGENCY c-sec (again too narrow, baby heart rate plummetted) ... third, planned c-sec. My recovery was very good, and my scarring was minimal. Now if I could only do something about these stretchmarks I have found just through some of my friends, that there is a lot of hype about c-secs, and what a bad option they think that they are. In my experience, and granted I have never delivered lady partslly, I have had very good experiences. It was good to try the natural way, but c-secs are a lot safer now than they used to be. -Cindy

So lack of linear thinking can be a plus, but I'm sure it comes up as a negative in some ways... we'll see. And thanks - Cindy Nursing Student

Oh, I've wanted to be a nurse since I was a girl. I started in college as a nursing student, then put things on hold when we decided to start our family... While my kids were so young, I sort of fell into the graphic and web design, because it enabled me to work from home, and in the evenings, and still be at home with the kids. Now that they will all be in school full time, I'm excited that I can recommit to my original career path. I'm addicted to these boards, and all the information I can get my hands on. Anyway, thanks - Cindy

I just attended a Nursing Information Session at my college. One of the questions that was discussed was, What careers make good cross-overs into nursing. The professor actually said that art careers work wonderfully with nursing. Can anyone tell me how? I am a graphic designer and website designer. I know being familiar with computers can be helpful but the art part is what I'm not connecting with... I would love to use my experience and talent in my 2nd career as a nurse if I can. Just curious as to how Here is my portfolio and some idea of what I do currently... http://www.flashbrite.com Thanks, Cindy Nursing Student

Thanks everyone! Great feedback, I have been getting comments from some family members, about how I could even work and be a mom... ugh. Luckily my husband is 100% on board and excited for me... YAY! Thanks again! - Cindy

I just went to the information session for the ECC program. Logistically it's close to me, and I am very interested in attending. I have 3 quarters of pre-req's, so I hope to apply in the fall. Anyone else attending? - Cindy

I am a nursing student, and I am 26. I have 3 children, 7, 6, and 4. When I begin working full time after graduating, my youngest will be in school all day during the week. I am thinking through what shifts may work for our family. My goal is to be home when they are awake and home. I am naturally a night person. I've done graphic and web design at nights as a freelancer, during their very young years, to supplement our income, and so I could be an at home mom. I was perfectly able to function throughout the day after staying up til 1-2 am. And thank goodness my husband didn't have to leave for work until 8 am, so I was able to sleep that late. Okay, so anyway, I think that if I were able to take the night shift, I could be home when they are getting up, get them off to school, and sleep during the day while they are in school. Up at 4 when they are getting off the bus, and then I would be home until bedtime... well almost, for dinner, and family time. 4 nights a week, and maybe a 5th night for OT, if I'm needed would be ideal, weekends at home. The day time shifts seem tricky to me, cause I am overlapping with their schedules too much, and can't work 12 hours for sure... Is this a pipe dream, or is it do-able? (added note, I've wanted to be a nurse since I was a kid... I'm soooo excited that this could happen for me, and I can't wait to go to work in this field, I just hope it will work with our family!) Thanks - Cindy Nursing Student