Nursing Schools

All you need is an Associate's to start nursing - but don't be fooled, it only says that it's a 2yr degree on the label. Assuming you have to take a full-slate of prerequisites, you'll end up in school for 3-3.5 years before you get your ADN. However, ADN programs are cheap and ubiquitous.

Meanwhile, Accelerated BSN and Direct Entry MSN programs appeal to students who already possess a Bachelors of some type in that they can go faster (some are as short as 12 months once pre-reqs are finished) or end in a higher degree. In the Chicago area, I can rattle off the following accelerated-type programs:

• Lewis University's ABSN program: Not really an accelerated bachelor's, since it takes 20 mos. plus a "pre-semester" you have to take courses on social service, theology, and other fun stuff. However, the classes are all on evenings and weekends.
  
• Midwest College of Nursing's BSN-MSN program: You end up with your RN and an advanced practice MSN, but they don't offer any Nurse Practitioner options.
  
• DePaul University's Master's Entry to Nursing Program: Graduates of this program can sit the NCLEX-RN and also receive instruction in core advanced classwork that reduces the time needed to get an advanced degree later. Students can also get a Clinical Nurse Leader certification. Few pre-reqs, but tuition and cost-of-living is pricey.
  
• Rush University's DE-MSN: Used to be an ABSN program, kept the same pre-reqs. Also does the Clinical Nurse Leader thing.
  
• UIC's DE-MSN program: Gets you your RN, then you go on to work on an advanced care MSN. Requires a research methods course on top of the usual pre-reqs.

I'm sure someone could add one or two more. Hope this helps!