Many questions..........please advise

by iwanna

I just happened to see this post. I have worked in a drug rehab for 18 months, then they closed. After that, I found a job in psych hospital. I worked there for 4 years. I left for medical reasons.
I have a chronic illness which really interfered with my getting an RN. I was in training for RN, then I became overwhelmed with fatigue during my last jr. level course. Also, I failed the course I was taking due to not being able to keep up. Long story short I went to practical nursing for one quarter and got my LPN. I had intention on going back to get my RN, but never quite made it.
After being out of work for 4 years, I would like to return to work. I even contemplated getting my RN online. And, really the only reason that I want my RN is because many jobs require the RN credentials. After working in the psych hospital and seeing all the RNs are charge nurses. I would never want to be an RN in the facility that I worked. Yes, they made more money, but they should did earn it. But, I think that I am more cut out to be an LPN.
Although, I do not even have that much experience in that either. I graduated from the practical nursing 11/96. And, my illness exacerbated around that time. I took my board 3/97. And, my first job was 5/97. I only lasted a few months because it was way too strenuous and stressful for me. I did not return to work until 7/98 and it was in a drug rehab. I think that was the best job for me. Unfortunately, we closed 18 months later. In June 2000, I obtained a job in a psych hospital.(which I ablsolutely hated at first) I didn't mind the adults and the geriatrics. It was the children and the adolescents that took some getting used to. And, at the time I was thinking it would be a good job for me because I needed a job that was not physically demanding. But, it was physcially demanding at times. I was more than a mere med nurse. I actually grew to like it. However, my illness exacerbated again. At first, I went on STD. Then returned to work for about 4 months, then resigned permanently. I was approved for SSDI on the first try. Also, I get disability from my former employment.
My health has been stabilized, however, I am on immunosuppresants and need to be careful.
I liked when I worked in the drug rehab, and I was really good at my job. Towards, the end I started doing consults at times when we were slammed. I did initial pre-certs to get people admitted. After losing job at the rehab, I tried other local facilities, but I wasn't qualified because I did not have my RN. I guess RNs are needed to take dr. orders. That was the one frustrating part for me is that I wasn't allowed to take drs. orders.
However, in the field of D&A, I feel quite qualified. I have lived the life of addiction. Not mine personally, but family members. In fact, my own daughter is an opiate addict. She is currently on methadone. But, addiction is a family disease, not just the addict's. I have suffered many heartaches and understand what the family goes through. In that aspect, I would like to help others, as I know their pain.
But, I am now 50. Did you take college course while you were working?I do have all college courses that I took as pre-reqs to RN program. And, I was thinking if I get RN, I will be totally responsible for paying tuition. I am still paying on my other loans. But, SSDI may help me out with my schooling, but not nursing, due to my illness. I just wonder how long it would take. And, also, I believe that I need to find out out about taking refresher courses for LPN. I don't feel comfortable being out of field for 4 years.
I was wondering how long it would take to get CCDC?