New and full of questions

Hi! I'm so glad to have found this website. I mentioned in another forum (I think it was the pre-nursing school forum ???) how I'm looking into getting an RN (second degree/career) and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.

My big concern is that I'm 35 with a mortgage, so I can't really afford to give up my salary and health benefits to attend school part-time.

My friend's wife is an LPN and she is thinking of going back for her RN. I thought it would make sense to just try and get my RN degree instead of doing it that way.

Someone posted to me here that I should consider going to a community college and getting my ADN.

Can someone please tell me what's the difference between being a LPN and a ADN? And would it then be eaiser to get my RN once I have an ADN?

I'm SOOOO confused at this point!!!

Also, my background is in legal so if I do go back to school I have quite a few pre-reqs I would have to take before I could even consider applying for nursing school. Someone suggested taking those part time first.

Thanks for everyone who might be able to help me out or at least point me in the right direction.