Hello!
In all honesty, I would just prepare to take my boards if you're already approved to take the NCLEX. In my experience, it really doesn't matter if you have prior health care experience when applying for a nursing position if it isn't an actual licensed "Nurse" position. You will still be considered a novice nurse with or without prior health care experience. Also, while you're preparing to take the NCLEX you should start looking into graduate nurse residency positions in your area. I'm sure you'll make the best decision for yourself and for your family, but give it some thought! Good luck with everything :) BTW I had 4 years experience as a CNA and 3 years experience as a lead medical assistant and employers still looked at me as a brand new grad nurse because I lacked "nursing" experience.Thankfully I was hired into a graduate nurse position!