Hi, jogger! I realize this is in the male Nurses Forum, but heck! I'll give it my two cents worth.
Nursing as a career is wide open, to be honest. There are so many opportunities for us to get into. PA's are a bit more limited, IMHO.
Seeing as you are in Illinois, many schools require you to be a CNA prior to clinicals, whether you go the LPN, AAS or BSN route. As for what degree you go for first, remember that, if you get your AAS first, you can always go for your BS later on. Heck, like you noted, many places will pay for schooling if you give them some 'time back'.
As for the pay aspect....depends on where you live, what area you might specialize in, etc.
Hope this helps some....
'Cat'