I am a 30 year old man, married with three kids. They are 5,3, and 11 months. 2009 was the most difficult time of my entire life. In September, we had a son that was born 3 1/2 months premature (26 weeks). The entire situation was very rare and strange as far as why he was born early. My other little boy who was 2 at the time, he had a virus called "fifth disease". He had a cold, fever and a rash with the virus for about 1 week. We knew absolutely nothing about this virus at the time, our pediatrician stated to us that it is very common in kids and is not a big deal.. She then stated to my wife "since you are pregnant you need to get checked to see if you have been exposed to the virus" She stated that it could be harmful if passed to our baby in the womb, but there is less than a 1% chance this could happen. Long story short, the virus was passed to our baby, he became sick to the point where he developed 'hydrops" fluid around all of his vital organs. He was dying, and his organs were shutting down. The Perinatoligists stated that they must perform a in-utero blood transfusion to save his life. During the blood transfusion, the transfused packed red blood cells created a blood clot in the umbillical chord and stopped his heart. We were rushed down to the Labor/Delivery room where he was delivered in 2 1/2 minutes (new hospital record). They revived him, he survived and was in the NICU for 74 days weighing 2 lbs. 3 oz.
While in the NICU w/ my son my entire life was put into perspective, I realize now what is important in life. I knew NOTHING about the NICU and/or preemies. Within the stay at the NICU with our son I became deeply fascinated with all of his treatment, I knew everything. What they were treating him with, why,how, when etc. It is how I coped with the stress of our son in his condition.
He is home now and doing very well. It changed my life forever and inspired me to want to become a nurse and/or Anesthetist. I have concerns that I wanted to mention and hopefully receive advice from others.
[*]I am 30 w/ 3 kids will I be able to handle full time school?
[*]I am currently unemployed, just laid off should I go to school full time at a Nursing trade school that is more accelerated?
[*]Does that look bad on a resume with an employer to have nuring degree from trade school and not a university?
[*]How much money can I expect to make my first year? (I was making $60,000 at my previous job, laid off)
[*]Should I go for Associate or bachelors of nursing initially?
[*]How much longer does it take to get my CRNA?
[*]Should I be concerned being a male nurse?
My wife stays home with our children, I am the sole source of income for our family.. I am scrared to death that I will go to school, get a nursing job and not make enough money to support my family. I TRULY want to be a nurse, I am ready to go.. I just hope that I can get some insight from others that have had a similar situation to mine that could help me along my path.
It's very hard to go through nursing school with a job and a family, but not impossible. Some things to consider - if you get an ADN and get a job, a hospital may pay your tuition (or part of it) for further education. It may be tougher these days, however, to get a job with an ADN, so you might want the BSN first.
Another thing to consider - if you really want to be an anesthetist you're going to need to get yourself placed in an ICU, and 1 year experience is necessary to get into most programs - for many programs you need at least 2 years of ICU. And the information I've gotten is that you are NOT ALLOWED to work for the 2nd year of the anesthetist program - you're expected to do a residency for the entire year. I don't know if you can manage that unless your wife goes back to work.
However, despite all of that and despite the crappy economy, the job outlook for nurses is better than that for many jobs. If you want to do it, you'll work it out! At least you have someone at home with the kids while you're trying to get through school.
Oh, and don't worry about the male nurse thing. I work with lots of guys. We love 'em, because they're a bonus for the heavy lifting and the belligerent patients. The patients treat them well because they mistake them for docs all the time (which we all laugh about). And a little eye candy never hurt us girls.
With respect to the age thing, I started an Accelerated BSN program at age 45. As to the ASN/BSN question, it depends on where you live. ADN is cheaper, but if you live in Boston (and certain other areas-- check with nurses in your area), an ADN won't get you a job at any area hospitals as a new grad. Good luck to you!
Specializes in Son who was born 3 1/2 months premature.
Wow, thank you for all of the fantastic feedback! I live in Utah, where supposibly the job market is still good. (7.9% unemployed). Again, thank you for the advice! I just hope to be able to provide for my family after I graduate.
I'm so sorry for what happened to your son! What an ordeal!! Like you, I became interested in nursing because I had a sick child. I am 36 and about to graduate from nursing school in March. I started my pre-req's at the community college, one class at a time at night, about 4 years ago. I thought that taking one class at a time would be a test to see if our family could do this, and to see if I was really interested after all the pre-req's were done.
Nursing school has many routes. There are part time programs for people who hold day jobs, and there are accelerated programs that get you through in 16 months. And of course the traditional program. There are even programs that are mostly on-line but you of course have to do clinicals in person. In my class we have about half of us in our 30's and one man in his 40's. We have 5 guys out of 29 in our class. Many of my classmates work part time jobs to help support their familes. One family is current living on student loans.
It can be done, and there are many paths to the goal. I wish you luck in your decision!
I entered nursing school at the age of 33 and was 35 when I graduated. Nursing is a second career for me and I made 60K/yr while in the business world. First year of nursing I made 45K because I didnt pick up any extra shifts, worked any overtime, or holidays. This year, I should make 55-60k because I have been picking up extra shifts and I am now signed up with an agency which pays very well.
If you are interested in becoming a CRNA, you should go straight for your BSN. Apply for jobs in an ICU as your first RN job. Stay there for 2-3 years and then apply to CRNA school. Get your CCRN while working as an ICU nurse. Also, join a professional organization for critical care nurses.
My very good friend is a CRNA and he teaches clinical rotations at the CRNA school. These are some of the tips he told me when I was considering CRNA at one point. Also, do well in nursing school.
As far as finances goes, I was a single mom of a teenager with two cars and a mortgage. I made it work. I STILL have my house and my cars are paid for.
go for it. Make sure the school is Accredited. If you can afford it and have the time, go BSN, definitely. If you the time, money, and resources, go CRNA. You'll make more money. Course that's my 2 cents. I was 27 starting nursing school with a 5 month old at home. He was a good baby and I would study when he went to sleep at 7:30 pm (he was a religious sleeper, so good for me). He was healthy, which is also a must to be able to focus in school. I don't think age has anything to do with ability for nursing school. Many of my class (only 13 of us in the end) were over 30. The majority, in fact. I got my BSN at 35 y.o. It was definitely more about theory/writing. Definitely not the harder part of schooling, for me. If you love to write and research, then go get that BSN.
Great job with the kids - glad the little one is all well! What a story!
You can do it! I did not go back to school at 29 after the history you have with your children......But decided to at 29 after my 3rd child was born! I stayed home after my first two were born, but always yearned to be a nurse. So after the third and I still felt the same way-he was born in March and I started in September 2001! I have been working on a labor and delivery floor for two years now and do not regret any of it! The only advice I will give that I am learning right now is that your goals when you walk into school may not be what they are when you graduate.........Since I started with 3 young children, I thought 3 12 night shifts would work best for my family.......My youngest started 2nd grade when I went to work.......My other two are high school now........they all have busy lives and my husband hates taking care of all of it when I am gone at night......so after two years, I have started to look for a different shift, which probably means I will have to leave my field of choice-but anything for my family:) Good luck, it can be done!!
Wow, man! I'm happy to hear that your son and your wife came out alright!
I'm 30, male but with no children or spouse - started out in education; the field turned really sour in 2009 and I moved into Nursing. I chose Nursing because I liked the idea of helping people get better while able to make a decent pay. I actually had my first clinical today in school and it was really enjoyable and fun. =D
Nursing is a career in which one can make a decent living - can it provide efficiently for a full family without another breadwinner? I'm not sure - but what you could do is check in the Utah region forum or create a post asking if the Utah Nurse salary is enough to support a full family without another breadwinner in the family. Here's the Utah forums - Utah Nurses - Nursing for Nurses
Should you go into Nursing? No one can answer that but you - you need to identify what you like about Nursing and what might turn you off from Nursing? Weigh your options and come to a conclusion. Don't just look at the positives, look at the negatives; and see if you could rationalize the negatives.
Also, for future reference, if you aren't a nurse already - don't proclaim you want to go for an advance degree. The rationale is that you are going for Nursing, do nursing first and see where you are when you are working as a Nurse, how you feel about it and then what you want to do with your career - Nursing shouldn't be an easy jump point to a CRNA or NP.
Brother, male, 30, and all your experiences give you a head start. I was a machinist, nearly lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, became an EMT and then started nursing school in my 30's. To be an RN all 50 states use the same exam, the NCLEX-RN. The license is the same whichever way you get qualified to take the exam. I went to a community college and have never had trouble finding work. Have a talk with the wife and decide what's best for you and good luck no matter what you do.
Specializes in Son who was born 3 1/2 months premature.
metricalpound said:
WOW!, man! I'm happy to hear that your son and your wife came out alright!
I'm 30, male but with no children or spouse - started out in education; the field turned really sour in 2009 and I moved into Nursing. I chose Nursing because I liked the idea of helping people get better while able to make a decent pay. I actually had my first clinical today in school and it was really enjoyable and fun. =D
Nursing is a career in which one can make a decent living - can it provide efficiently for a full family without another breadwinner? I'm not sure - but what you could do is check in the Utah region forum or create a post asking if the Utah Nurse salary is enough to support a full family without another breadwinner in the family. Here's the Utah forums - Utah Nurses - Nursing for Nurses
Should you go into Nursing? No one can answer that but you - you need to identify what you like about Nursing and what might turn you off from Nursing? Weigh your options and come to a conclusion. Don't just look at the positives, look at the negatives; and see if you could rationalize the negatives.
Also, for future reference, if you aren't a nurse already - don't proclaim you want to go for an advance degree. The rationale is that you are going for Nursing, do nursing first and see where you are when you are working as a Nurse, how you feel about it and then what you want to do with your career - Nursing shouldn't be an easy jump point to a CRNA or NP.
My son's NICU experience in 1998 is what prompted me to consider nursing and I will graduate in December. I think it is a great field that will satisfy all my personality quirks (e.g., I'm nitpicky, like helping people, thrive on constant change and can't stand to not use my brain) .
However, even if you decide to jump right in and start a 12-18 month accelerated Bachelor's program, you will likely have a year of science pre-reqs to take. Then there are the application deadlines that may put your start date off for several months after that. A community college would require the same science courses, along with either stellar grades or a waitlist before you can start. Knowing this, I'd recommend returning to your current field, if that's possible, taking the science courses and completing the application process while socking away as much money as possible. You may also want to take the CNA course while you are waiting to start. Some schools require it and the patient contact experience is super handy. Also, my classmates who work as CNAs during nursing school have a leg up when it comes to getting hired. Good luck deciding your future!
JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN
443 Posts
It's very hard to go through nursing school with a job and a family, but not impossible. Some things to consider - if you get an ADN and get a job, a hospital may pay your tuition (or part of it) for further education. It may be tougher these days, however, to get a job with an ADN, so you might want the BSN first.
Another thing to consider - if you really want to be an anesthetist you're going to need to get yourself placed in an ICU, and 1 year experience is necessary to get into most programs - for many programs you need at least 2 years of ICU. And the information I've gotten is that you are NOT ALLOWED to work for the 2nd year of the anesthetist program - you're expected to do a residency for the entire year. I don't know if you can manage that unless your wife goes back to work.
However, despite all of that and despite the crappy economy, the job outlook for nurses is better than that for many jobs. If you want to do it, you'll work it out! At least you have someone at home with the kids while you're trying to get through school.
Oh, and don't worry about the male nurse thing. I work with lots of guys. We love 'em, because they're a bonus for the heavy lifting and the belligerent patients. The patients treat them well because they mistake them for docs all the time (which we all laugh about). And a little eye candy never hurt us girls.