CINCINNATI — The nation needs nurses more than ever right now. This year, more registered nurse jobs will be available than any other profession in the U.S., according to the American Nurses Association.
One mother is taking this matter into her own hands to provide her child with the care he needs, one class at a time.
Amir Keys is Kadijah and Kevin Key’s pride and joy. Amir and his brother, Amare, were born in November 2020. It was 22 weeks early, just three days apart, and given a 1% chance of survival.
Amir made it. His brother did not.
“It was really hard to go through that and to even get that phone call for us to rush out there, and ya’ll only have so many minutes to be out here,” said Kadijah.
Amir has fought since the day he was born. He's had five surgeries and had an unexpected volvulus. He's spent more than 13 months in the NICU and has been in the hospital for more than 16 months.
He's currently trach and vent dependent. He can’t leave the hospital because he will need a home nurse, but right now, there is a shortage.
“Once you get here, you realize just how frustrating it is to understand you’ve done everything in your control,” said Kevin. “Amir’s done everything in his control.”
That’s why Kadijah, who has a degree in criminal justice, decided to go back to school to become a nurse. She’s currently in a 15-month program and hopes to finish early to help bring Amir home soon.
The hospital medical staff expects it to take six months to two years before he’ll be assigned a home care nurse, and she hopes that it’s her.
“In order for us to properly care for Amir at home, I need to be qualified enough to be able to take care of Amir,” said Kadijah. “As a parent, I can be able to do that, but I’m just like I need that extra education.”
Cooking dinner every night is a challenge sometimes for Kadijah as she juggles school, hospital visits and raising her teenage stepson.
“It’s pretty hectic trying to be at school and trying to be at the hospital with Amir and also trying to find family balance is really challenging,” she said. “But I try my best.”
As she continues this journey of becoming a nurse, Kadijah said she knows it won’t be easy. But it’ll be worth it the day she gets to bring her son home.
“Having a 22-weeker is really tough,” she said. “But I want people to know that 22-weekers do survive, and if you just keep the faith and the strength to keep pushing, you’ll be OK.”
Editor’s Note: The story incorrectly listed the sons’ birthdate as Nov. 2022. An edit has been made to reflect the accurate date. (June 3, 2022)