I agree, before you invest all sorts of time, energy & money in a nursing degree, start at the bottom and become a CNA. Not only will you quickly find out if nursing is for you, but the consensus of opinion where I work (largish rehab hospital) is that those who have been CNAs make much better RNs.

I don't know about other institutions, but mine has a well-developed scholarship program to help CNAs move on to bigger and better(paying) things.

No, I am not a nurse, but I work closely with nurses and have the utmost respect for the field.