I just enrolled in a technical school because it's so competitive to get into nursing school at my local community college that if you don't get in the first time, you have to wait another six months to apply -- not knowing if you'll get in the next time.
It's expensive -- $20,000 -- but it's a deferred student loan at a low interest rate and I have up to 10 years to pay it off. But I also don't have any other debt.
My rationality is this: I can get my LVN license in one year, then after I get six month's experience, I can enter an LVN-RN bridge program -- and get tuition reimbursement from my employer. I've already completed most of the prerequisites, so it would only take about a year. And I will learn a lot on the job working as an LVN that will help with my RN studies/clinicals.
And yes, the bridge programs are competitive too. But if for some reason I can't get in -- which I don't think will happen, considering there are so many in my area -- I can take an online bridge program such as Excelsior (also expensive, but worth it as a last resort.)
I suggest working on your prerequisites and applying for a program at a community college. Then if you can't get in or don't want to wait, check into a technical school. At least that way, you'll have your pre-reqs out of the way and have some basic knowledge about anatomy&physiology and other sciences that will help when you start your nursing education.
Hope that helps -- sorry for going so long!
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