It's time to start re-constructing your self-image as a nurse.
You are not someone who "failed RN school 7 yrs ago" you are an experienced LPN with several years of excellent "real-world" knowledge to carry you into any future you wish. When we define oursleves as "less-than" we live out a "less-than" prophecy -- it's self-fulfilling and self-destructive.
You're going to be GREAT, believe that and you're attitude about school will change too.
Now, about online learning. There are several advantages you should consider:
1) In a virtual classroom, there's room for everyone -- unlike the bricks-and-mortor schools where the bottle-neck is created by the limited number of faculty available. So, don't dismiss an online school right away!
2) Online learning has its limitations but even an old-dog can learn new tricks. I've taken two online classes (and while I did not have stellar performance, I survived) and that is after more than 25 years of being "out of school" -- you can too!
3) Some online schools are better than others. Here are some questions that may help you choose wisely --
Does this school let/help me do my clinical experience near my home? (Will they work with me to arrange local, significant, clincal expereinces that will advance my learning?)
Do the faculty have a committment to be in touch with students? (Or, am I just a student number passing through this course without any personnal contact or guidance from the professor?)
Do we learn from a knowledgable faculty member or just from each other? (Some faculty are very "instructive" others may be very "hands-off" and trust the learning experience to the online dialogue of the learners -- this is risky if the class is mostly novices!)
Do we use textbooks or just internet articles for our knowledge-base? Basic nursing requires that we become grounded in the LASTING principles of nursing. I usually don't worry if a graduate class has no textbook, but if it is an under-grad class, I begin to think that there may be a lack of substance to the curriculum.
Finally, is this a school where I can connect to other learners for support (Do other students live near you -- in your state, even? This would allow you the opportunity for an in-person study group as you prepare for tests or projects) Knowing others you can connect with makes the online experience more palatable -- especially for us more "traditional" learners.
Good luck with your pursuits. And remember -- you are already a great nurse, you aspire to a richer, more fulfilling role and you CAN achieve it with tremendous sucess!
--p