How long before you were comfortable with vent/trach patients?

[Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN]

I am beginning work with an agency that is allowing me to precept on adult clients after I pass their vent/trach class, but are refusing to allow me to handle peds cases (my experience is with adults). These cases would be shifts, not visits. How long did it take you to master these skills?

-Nervous Nurse in New Jersey

[caliotter3]

Being quite frank with you on this questiion. I truly can't remember how this came about. I just started working these cases, and with each visit and each case, it became easier and easier. Or I became more at ease and more at ease. I was not even aware of the process. You just have to start somewhere and keep on doing it until it doesn't scare you so much anymore. But with peds patients, somewhere in the back of my mind there is a little panic button just waiting to go off. I will never feel like working with peds will be like second nature to me.