Long-term goal

[CamMc]

I know this is a lot of pre-planning for things that could very well change and I've posted a couple things here already, but it really helps to get any input. I'm looking at going back to nursing school (after being out for 10 years since failing my third semester the first time). My ultimate goal is to end up with an MSN.

There are a couple of programs I could look at as an MEPN, which would be ideal, but more intensive and expensive than I'm prepared to do right now (financially and getting my pre-reqs re-done so that I can be better prepared).

Going through a community college option to get just my RN would be the most affordable option, but has around a 2 year wait-list to get in and then takes 2 years to complete. On the one hand this waiting time could be great because it would give me time to get a little more financial stability, since working while in nursing school will be challenging and the wait time would also give me time to retake A&P and micro, so that I am better prepared for nursing classes (i took those back in 2007/2008).

Another option would be doing a concurrent enrollment program where the clinicals are through the community college (which have a really high pass rate for the NCLEX) and then the BSN classes are through one of like 6 local universities done online.

My question is, if I'm looking at getting an MSN and already have a BSW and a MA does it really matter where my BSN is through in terms of being a good school? Of the several options the one I would feel has the best reputation is the most expensive and I won't qualify for much in student loans because of how much I've taken out, but I could go with one of the smaller, lesser known schools that are cheaper and it would take less time than waiting on the wait list for two years before even starting the RN program. Or do I wait to do the RN program and then look at just an RN to MSN option in a few years, which at that point could potentially be online or in-person.