Nurses: Any advice for someone thinking about going to school for nursing?

I am 31 yr. old stay at home mom from Minnesota. The last job I had outside of the home was as a certified pharmacy technician (I still keep up my certification even though I no longer work in the field).
I am thinking about returning to school and have always been interested in Nursing. From what I've seen and heard it looks like I would have to start out w/the CNA classes and go on from there. So I am wondering:
-How long you have to work as a CNA before you can continue your schooling to become an LPN?
-If there is a good job outlook, I don't want to put my time and money into school and then not be able to find work!
-How many nurses like their jobs and are happy in this field.
-Any other advice you want to give me =)

My mother is 60 years old & still working as a registered nurse.

Honestly, there is alot of lifting & pulling that can play a toll on your body. If you want to go back & learn. That's great, but I would say also work out. Get your body in shape.

I started nursing at 32 after working as a military medic and a paramedic, and after a few years sitting at a desk.
Different states have different requirements for being a CNA first...but you need to get licensed to show that you have the skills.
The job outlook is pretty good. The Baby Boomers are starting to retire (lots of nurses will retire)...which means that they are getting older and will soon experience accelerating decline (more work for nurses).
About 1/2 of male nurses and 1/5 of female nurses leave the profession in their first 4 years according to recently released statistics. I think these are misleading, and find it likely that A LOT MORE male nurses leave the profession early as a result of discrimination by female supervisors and DON's.
Advice...if you are REALLY going to do it...work as a CNA while in school...in the field that you want to work in. If you want to be a psych nurse, be a Behavioral Health Tech in a psych facility...if you want to work geri, be a CNA in a nursing home. You will learn a lot of important techniques during your time as an aide. And never, ever, disparage your CNA's when you are a nurse...you'll never survive without them. On the other hand, if you have CNAs who are lousy employees and write them up, you'll probably be the one disciplined... if you discipline them yourself, they'll likely report you to your state abuse hotline...and if you ignore their behavior, you'll be terminated. So, if you have lousy CNAs....your best bet is to find another job.

I work with a lot of people wanting to become Nurses. There is a program called a bridge program that allows you to bridge from an LPN to the RN program and be able to complete the whole program in two years. About being a CNA first I am not sure that is a must. There would be pre-reqs that could be done over the summer months. I think you have to be a CNA before you can be a CMT and you have to be EMT before a paramedic, but I have never heard you have to be a CNA before an LPN. Like I said, I help people with schooling and employment and Nursing is an excellent choice. This occupation is in high demand everywhere and the pay and benefits are tremendous. I hope you do persue this career and I wish you a lot of luck!!!

No need to start as a CNA. If you do that, however, protect your back.
You will have to see about where you can apply and recognize there is likely a waiting period to get into nursing school. You will want to do all pre- and co-requisite courses ASAP because you want to be able to devote your time to the nursing clinicals and coursework.
Job outlook is excellent:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm
There is a significant rate of nursing dissatisfaction--can vary as to why--too little contact with patients (too much paperwork, short staffed, etc.), shifts too long (some are 12 hours), pay is poor (in some fields definitely)--etc. The RN is incredibly flexible though, so you probably can find something you like and even change where you are with relative ease.

This is a LOT of work. You will need excellent child care, including for when your child is sick. You simply can NOT be absent from clinicals and pass the course.

If all this puts you off, think about why you're interested in nursing. Perhaps something like x-ray tech, nuclear med tech, ultrasound tech, etc. would appeal to you--I think they don't tend to have such long waiting lists. I'm not saying they're not rigorous or a lot of work, because they are.

Good luck.