In 1987 I dropped out of a 4 year nursing program, just one quarter shy of completion! (I was derailed by a very impersonal college atmosphere, a tragic death in the family and the loss of 'the love of my life', all at a time when I was doing oncology clinicals). 

I got a job in a lab for a very large, seemingly stable corporation.  Fast forward 17 years when a layoff forced me to leave my lab management position.  I went to a 4 year liberal arts college and got a general Bachelor's degree in management and went to work as the office manager for some former co-workers. 

Alas, in 2009 the economy closed that door as well and now at 50 years old I am looking for something to get me through mid-life.  A cousin, who is a visiting nurse, suggested I look into what I could do with my nursing education.  But I don't know where to start.  After 25 years, surely none of those credits will transfer anywhere.  I've done internet searches but there are so many questionable 'nursing' colleges around (you pay a LOT of money and don't get a marketable result) that I'm not sure where to go.

Any ideas?