wheresmyraise

Hi all! I stumbled upon this site looking for information on nursing careers. And boy does this seem like the site to be at! Anyway, I am very overwhelmed. I am considering studying nursing. A little background on me: I went to college for Elementary Education and graduated in 2000. After 6 successful years at teaching I left to take care of my kids. My teaching certificate is now expired and in order for me to teach again I would have to go back to school. In the meantime I have had several life experiences that make me feel as though I want to study nursing. My kids will be in school full time next year, so I thought if I am going to do this now may be the time. I thought about nursing when I was in highschool but when it was time to declare a major I decided on education. So, I am obviously a non traditonal student. I have a bachalor's degree, but I am sure most of my credits will not transfer since they were so long ago. I am trying to decide what will be the best way for me to get to my goal of being a nurse. I have kids, husband and all that fun stuff that goes with that. So I need a realistic goal that will get me there as fast as possible and with as little money out of my pocket as possible. I am kind of confused by all the different kinds of nurses and the fact that some nurses seem to be fazing out. I thought I would get my LPN and then a job. I heard that the healthcare industry is really good about helping to pay for furthering education, so I would go back to school then to get RN. But I guess this isn't a good idea as LPN is being fazed out???? Also, I thought there was a huge nurse shortage and jobs were plentiful? Is this not the case any more? I am in the Kentucky area, on the border of Cincinnati so there are numerous hospitals in my area. I would love to be a pediatric nurse and that would be my goal. All these initials have my head spinning along with all the different programs I have looked at. CNA, RN, BSN, ASN.... ugh! I just don't know where to start!