dilemma

Hi,

I am new to this site, and I just want to say this is a wonderful site and I am hoping I can get some insite on which path I should follow. My first concern is that I am a single mom of 2 small children and I'm 31 years old. I am 3 courses away from completing my master's in computer science. Over the past couple of months I have decided to apply to nursing school. Nursing has always been my first choice, but the waiting list was too long 9 years ago, so I just wanted to hurry and finish school with something. Lately I have become bored with my current job just sitting behind a desk, with no opportunities for advancement no matter how many degrees I obtain. This male corporate environment is not for me. I want to have equal opportunites with peers on the same level. I want to be able to spend more time with my children and get involved with their school activities. Nursing will allow my time to be more flexible, and if i want the option to pick up a shift i would be able to. I am anxious to work nights as I used to when I worked in a hospital years back. I have applied to a local hospital program for the diploma RN. My interview is in March. My concern is if my interview is in March, what if the program is full by then? Will I have to sit out and wait? Or do they interview everyone first and then make their selections. The receptionist says they are still accepting applications and the program accepts 60 students. Has anyone had this experience with getting accepted? I am just very anxious. I have completed all of the prerequisites, but the sciences are right at the 10 year mark. I have begun taking the anatomy over.

In case I don't get accepted my back up plan is to attend a new evening weekend lpn school which is 10 months. The only problem from what I have read is that the school is accredited by the ohio board of nurisng, but it doesn't say anything about being accredited by the other leage of nursing nin that's required. Because the program is new I am a little skeptical. If I go this route then I can later apply to Case Western Reserve University which is a very excellent school and they have an entry master's RN program for non nursing students that already have a degree. I would have liked to apply to this program originally, but its all during the day, and I just bought a house so I have to work full time. I was thinking if i become an lpn then I can work nights and attend the RN program during the day. It seems like everything will depend on if I can get accepted into the diploma program.

I would like to eventually go into teaching b/c there seems to be a shortage with nursing instructors. I just wanted to hear the opinions of others for advice or maybe someone who has been in a similar situation.