No offense intended in my suggestion to start working on a Masters in Nursing. I graduated from a Diploma program in 1960. Raised the family in a small town. I was a big fish in a small pond. At 47 moved to a medium city. Quickly realized I had become a minnow in a big pond. I agree do bedside nursing to gain footing. BUT start the higher ed before and during early family. It makes a nurse more able to move up. Quilting will be fun . Only the new grad can decide for herself.