Career change...several questions

Hello,

New to the site and interested in entering the nursing profession. I've searched through some older threads and found a wealth of info, but have a few questions I was hoping someone could answer.
I've read a lot about ADN vs BSN and the pros and cons of both. I have a BA in Sociology as well as the basic science prereq's for nursing taken separately, post graduation at my local Comm College. My ultimate goal would be to complete a DNP program and be an Nurse Practitioner. My shorter term goal would be to complete either a BSN or ADN program and become an RN, then work while taking online classes to complete the DNP over the course of a few years. My questions are:


There are several community colleges nearby to my home that offer either standard or accelerated ADN degrees for a very reasonable cost. Earning a BSN would cost me much, much more money as there are no programs nearby and I would have to pay room/board somewhere as well as higher tuition. I understand the BSN is superior for a career as an RN, but for someone using the RN as sort of a stepping stone to the DNP, is it worth the added cost/inconvenience to get the BSN?

I know this is a common question, but in general how are the job prospects for ADN graduates? I have heard so many mixed comments on this, ranging from "ADN graduates cannot get hired anywhere" to "it makes no difference". Any perspective?

Final question and another one that I'm sure is fairly common. The comm college that I'm taking my prereq's at has an ADN program that is approved by the MD State BON and has a 97% NCLEX pass rate, but they are not regionally/nationally accredited. I'm an in-county resident so the tuition is super cheap and the school is 15 mins away. Another community college in the area is accredited, but the NCLEX pass rate is only 75%. Any advice/opinions on this dilemma?

Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks for any help. Feel free to link in other threads if they address these issues. Thanks again.

Cheers,
TJ
Hireability as an ADN has a lot to do with the local job market. I started nursing in the South, where ADNs and diplomas had no problem at all getting jobs. Then I moved to California, where many employers won't look at you without a BSN. I was rejected from a job for not having a BSN, even though I had experience AND specialty certification.
If your ultimate goal is a DNP, then you need to get your BSN first. I haven't heard of going from ASN-DNP route. My advice is get your BSN. The route you are considering is ASN (RN), RN-BSN, BSN-DNP. It would seem a more expensive route by paying for an ASN, then going to school for your RN-BSN. You already have a BA, why not go the ABSN path?
I say skip nursing all together and go for pa or something else. Nursing ain't what it use to be!
The comm college that I'm taking my prereq's at has an ADN program that is approved by the MD State BON and has a 97% NCLEX pass rate, but they are not regionally/nationally accredited. I'm an in-county resident so the tuition is super cheap and the school is 15 mins away. Another community college in the area is accredited, but the NCLEX pass rate is only 75%. Any advice/opinions on this dilemma?