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.
