Which program is best?

[color=#333333]i am currently a freshmen at a small private liberal arts school. i have discovered/ realized that i want to pursue a career in nursing. in order to get the most out of it, i want to be a nurse practitioner but i am a little confused as to how to get there. at my small school, there is a 5 yr program in which i receive a bs in biology and bsn. from there, i would apply to a graduate nursing program in order to get my doctorate for the np. or i can transfer from the school i am at currently and attend dominican university (river forest, il) and complete their 6 yr program associated with rush university and have a masters in nursing (gem). i'm not sure if i would be an np after this or if that would require more years of school.

[color=#333333]which is the better path to take in order to be cost efficient and not spend countless years in school? i want to be able to complete my education and be capable of finding a job shortly after.

[color=#333333]also, since there is a push towards phasing out np masters programs by 2015, would working toward a masters in this way be worth it?

[color=#333333]finally, do you have any other suggestions on how to pursue such a career in nursing while staying close to the chicagoland area? i've considered applying to uic but am not sure if that is the best option available.

[color=#333333]thank you for the help!! i don't really have anyone to talk to about this that has an understanding of the profession.