Help a Sister (Nurse) Out! I need advice!

[KimminyCricket]

Hello nursing friends! I need some serious advise. I am an LVN in Texas. After completing my vocational school years ago, my goal was (insert eye roll) to "get floor nursing experience for a year and then go back to complete my RN". BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE!!! Babies, hubby and my dream job all laughed in the face of that goal and here I am 13 years later. So, now that my youngest is 9, and I have no diapers or daycare and I actually have time to do things like fix my hair- I'd like to finish what I set out to do. The problem is... There are so many options of how to transition. Online, on campus, Clep- out, LVN to ADN, LVN to BSN, Excelsior, College Network, Acheive Test Prep.... You get the picture. I've heard so many people say they wish they wouldn't have done A or B when they transitioned or that they could have saved so much money by waiting to do such and such... But I don't know what those tips are!

I am an L&D nurse and want to stay at the hospital I have been employed at since graduating with my LVN. I would like to complete a program in as short amount of time as possible. I would also like to utilize financial aid of some sort. What is the least expensive, time friendly way for me to go about this? I work nights too and would like to continue although I know I'll likely need to cut my hours down. I just need some guidance!

Your tips and insight are greatly appreciated!