Advice desperately needed, please!

[CLH92]

Hey all, I am in desperate need for some advice. I currently have a non-nursing bachelors degree (Accounting) and I am looking to go back to school to be a nurse.

I am really needing advice on which route to take. I have already reached the 180 credit limit (SAP) to be eligible for anymore financial aid for an associates or second bachelors degree.

I have looked into some Direct Entry MSN programs due to the fact that I'd be able to take out more loans/aid to pay for schooling, although ultimately I'm not all that interested in becoming an APRN, at least not until I had experience as an RN first, and maybe not even then. I'd strictly be going this route in order to receive financial aid to do so. Also, the programs that I have found seem to be full-time during the day, which doesn't work for me since I need to continue working while studying.

Which brings up my second point. I need to work while going back to school, I don't have the option of not working. So, I've been trying to research nursing programs that offer evening and/or weekend classes and clinicals. If I'm able to go this route, I shouldn't have an issue paying out of pocket if the program is at a community college to get my ADN. The programs I have found for ABSN/BSN look to be more expensive and I don't think I'd be able to afford to pay out of pocket each semester for these programs, even if I found a BSN program offered on evenings/weekends only, unless there are more "affordable" programs that I just haven't found.

I'm currently located in Texas (Austin area) but would relocate anywhere in the US if someone has any leads on the type of program that may be best for me given my situation. I feel that going the evening/weekend ADN route and paying for school out of pocket is going to be my best bet at this point. If any of y'all have experience with a program like this, I'd love to hear how it went for you and if you'd recommend it! 

Thanks for taking the time to read!!

[nurse061401]

a lot of direct entry MSN/DNP programs allow you to pause before the MSN/DNP portion to work as an RN or you can do the MSN/DNP part time while working as an RN