Newbie Questions

hi everyone,
Have been reading and just joined!!!

I am hoping to become an RN as an adult student! This is leaving me with a few questions, and I hope someone will be kind enough to help me out here....
1. Have seen a program at a local hospital where they train you for CNA, you work a minimum of 6 months, get accepted into a nursing program and they pay your costs of tuition with a promise to work for them 6 months for every semester that they paid tuition. All the while, you can still be working full or part time, and continue to have healthcare benefits. Is this a good deal? It seems to me to be the best?
2. In our state, I have heard rumor of a scholarship from the tate, where for a promise of staying in the state to work for 3 years after getting the RN, they will pay for school as well.

Which seems to be a better deal, and do you recommend doing CNA as a stepping stool to get the free tuition into nursing school?

Also, The program I am looking at for nursing states that to get the clinical hours is very competitive,,,,,

What if you don't get the clinical? Can you try to get in the next set of clinic? Are you basically screwed if you don't get the clinical hours to begin with? Does one stand a better chance of getting the cinical hours at a private college, public college, or community college? Would having worked as a CNA give you any step up in getting the clinical hours?

Sorry for so many questions and thanks in advance for any insight anyone could offer to me!