Lots of questions...
I may not be the best person to respond to your questions, but your story sounds similar to mine so I'll let you know a little about me and what I've learned so far about going into the nursing field.

I am 34 and just became a first-time mom 7 months ago to a little girl. I've worked in the mortgage industry for over 10 years and my most recent salary + benefits were quite fabulous. A week after giving birth to my daughter though, I logged on to my work e-mail only to receive the message that the company I'd been working for had ceased operations due to the "declining market". Now, with only half our household income, a new baby, and our health insurance premiums through the roof, my husband and I are struggling financially, but we've decided that instead of me going back to work and being miserable doing something that doesnt quite fulfill me, it's finally time to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. It's now or never.

Three of my very close friends are nurses. One of them is a Nurse Manager, the other has her MSN and the third is currently working on her BSN. I've always envied their work!

Anyhow, I went to them for advice on what to do.

So I'm going to attempt to respond to all your questions based on what I am doing and I've learned so far. Here goes:

1. You MAY be able to work while you take your pre-requisites, but not once you are enrolled in nursing school...at least not if you're serious about becoming a nurse.

2. You're not great at testing? Well, neither am I, but you got your bachelor's degree right? If this is what you truly want to do, it'll be an intense amount of hard work but you'll do it.

3. There is always a strong job market for nurses, but nursing school has become quite competitive.

4. Check your local colleges. My local college offers an "accelerated" nursing program for those with a bachelor's degree where you can finish the RN program in just 1 year (assuming you are NOT working). But, the GPA requirements are quite high and it's meant for people with extremely good skills in studying and information retention. I do NOT have a bachelor's degree, but I do have my A.A. from way back, and with this, I have almost all of the pre-requisites completed except for the following 4 which you will likely also require before you can do anything else:

Anatomy & Physiology 1
Anatomy & Physiology 2
Chemistry
Microbiology

5. People become nurses at ALL different ages. I had the same concern and one of my nurse friends told me about this 56-year-old woman who changed careers and just graduated with her RN.

6. I have no idea how to respond to this question. I'm sure you are going to find difficult people in any industry.

Get some books on nursing and read up on it. Read up on it a lot!

Anyhow, I start school in May and am really excited (and scared).
School is going to be tough, tough, tough and quite frustrating at times. No doubt about it.

But I'm thrilled!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

Thank you!
Thank you thank you thank you. This is what I was seeking...great detail! I am starting to move on this idea. Im nervous, but excited! Best wishes to you and your family.
Nurse2b