How many programs to apply to?

Hello,

I have been working on my pre-reqs for just over five years (I took a few off to start a family). I have only applied to one nursing school upon finishing prereqs for that ADN program but did not get in due to a 'incomplete' application from a lost transcript for a previous school. I went back for one term and did additional BSN prereqs.

Now I need to get into a school next fall!

I live in a town with three nursing schools. There is a tech college that has a LPN program and a bridge program which is waitlist (the office said its too late to start for spring but I would get in for fall if I apply now). The ADN program which I previously applied to has switched to a lottery system so I'm not going to feel too confident about getting in when I apply there. There is a univerity with a BSN program that if I write a decent essay I shoul be able to get into but don't know if I can afford. So I am considering having to move and rent an apartment elsewhere (or commute an hour or two).

There are about ten ADN programs within a couple of hours of where I live. Some of them I can't apply to because I won't have a CNA certificate until after the application deadline, but that still leaves about six schools. Some of these schools are in really rural areas where the only job for a CNA would be LTC, others are in more expensive urban areas where there are an array of places with job offerings for CNAs. Did any of you let employment possibilities influence where you went to school? Should I apply to all of the programs I am eligibe to? How many schools have you all applied to? How many did you get accepted to? Does it seem like the same group of applicants applies to all the schools in a major metropolitain area and students just commute to where they get in?

I am freaking out because I have been wanting to become a nurse for so long but things just don't seem to be working out for me.

Thanks for any advice...