Hi nurses!
Okay, here's the shortest version I can manage with the most important details:

I am 35, and for the last 10 years, I was a stay at home mom, and my goal was to remain one. But a failing marriage to a man who didn't want to try very hard to support his family lit a fire under me to do something about our financial situation myself. I enrolled in class to be Nurse Aide Certified and passed, but in the midst decided to file for divorce. It was no longer going to be about grudgingly going to work to pick up the slack...I was going for a good career to support myself and my kids.

I was certain that a career in the health care field was what I wanted, both for the human interaction and financial aspects, so I decided on a course of action: get a job as a CNA while banging out prerequisites for nursing school. I had seen nurses in action, knew many who loved their jobs, and knew it was for me even though the science aspect would challenge me greatly.

I became Nurse Aide Certified in November of '10, and I have yet to get a job as one. Until I could get a position, I took a job as a waitress. Went to turn in my application to social services for childcare assistance and was told there was a freeze on new applications (still in effect in my state). So no only could I NOT afford to work as a CNA even if I could get a job as one, I couldn't even work a full schedule at the restaurant and could only work shifts when family or friends could watch my kids for free.

Fast forward a bit...I just finished my first semester in college knocking out 3 of my prerequisites with a 4.0. I am just wrapping up an accelerated summer pathophysiology class, and if I get a 95% or better on the last 2 exams, I can get an A. Right now, I am putting a LOT of pressure on myself to get these A's, because I feel that my grades and my drive might be all I have to cling to.

My strengths: My grades, my fierce determination, my organizational and study skills, my love of people.

My weaknesses (or what I think might count against me): my late age in getting started, my poor academic record in high school, my lack of ability to *currently* get work as a CNA or lack of time to volunteer because work and school takes up ALL my time.

Okay all...what will weigh more- my strengths or weaknesses? Will being laser focused on becoming a nurse, stellar grades, and the ability to write outstanding essays be enough to overcome the fact that as a teenager I gave the middle finger to school and later wanted to be a career homemaker and didn't get my act together about choosing a career until I was 35? And if perchance I DO get into nursing school and get my LPN and RN, am I MORE or LESS likely to land a job as an almost 40 year old new nurse?

Given my limitations, what do you think is the BEST way for me to stand out as a nursing program applicant?

Any and all thoughts and advice are most we