Any Advice on a Plan B if my Plan A doesn't work?

[stellakc]

So, I am currently in application mode, with 2 nursing apps under my belt for ABSN programs in Massachusetts. My undergraduate GPA is about average (3.14) and my pre-req GPA is about 3.56. My TEAS score (1st attempt) was an 82, but I will be retaking it soon, and I am currently volunteering in the Emergency Department at a local hospital.

The source of stress for the next couple of months is whether or not my academics, resume, recommendations, test scores, etc. will be enough for me to be accepted into a program.

I want to stay hopeful, but I also want to be realistic. I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice for me as far as a Plan B goes. Should I retake some of my B courses to get an A and get work experience under my belt as a CNA while I wait another year to re-apply? Would going the RN to BSN route be THAT bad (i.e. going for an associates first to get RN licensure, then applying the bridge route to get the BSN).

Thank you and any help/words are appreciated!

[Nolli]

I'm not sure how it is in Mass, but from what I've seen there are a lot of Universities that offer the bridge programs. So that is a viable option if you are set on getting the BSN, but can't get in. I'd also advise widening your search school wise. I applied to five schools and only got into one BSN program. I also applied to an associates as a backup in case I didn't make the cut. It's really competitive so the more places you look at the more options you may ultimately get. As far as the rest I'm not an admissions officer so I really wouldn't know how repeating courses or working as a CNA would go over. I do know that the schools I applied to looked at the whole picture like volunteer work, essay, etc. and not just grades because when I transferred in I had a similar GPA as you. It can be done.