VivaLasViejas ASN, RN

LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych

Once a nurse, always a nurse!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

All Content by VivaLasViejas

  1. VivaLasViejas

    Any nurses had arthroscopic knee surgery?

    VivaLasViejas replied to pensivern's topic in General Nursing

    I had a knee arthroscopy when I was in my early 50s. My cartilage was badly damaged and there was a piece of it floating around that was so large my surgeon had to open up my knee to get it out. He...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    ADN vs BSN Nurses' Competency

    VivaLasViejas replied to StudentNurseMNUS's topic in General Nursing

    This. ^^ I only hope that this will be the definitive post that discourages further arguments...oops,
  3. VivaLasViejas

    50% of fatalities in nursing homes in some States

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in Disaster Preparation

    I think your post was a little harsh, AHWTL. Your mother may be manipulative, I don't know her (or you), but please don't turn your back on her if she needs you. I am 61, widowed, disabled, and I live...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Is it normal to feel this way?

    VivaLasViejas replied to The0Walrus's topic in General Nursing

    I used to work with a NH resident who was totally A&O, who screamed "HELP!" literally every five minutes, give or take a few seconds. She refused to get out of bed even though she was capable of...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    LTC Residents and Workers Face Tragedy

    VivaLasViejas replied to J.Adderton's topic in Disaster Preparation

    It was bound to happen. Nursing homes are petri dishes full of nasty germs and these elderly folks are sitting ducks. The only good I can see coming from this is hopefully the powers that be won't...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Age vs Years Nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to Erika Patterson's topic in General Nursing

    I'm 61 and have 22 years under my belt. I'm retired
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Discouraged

    VivaLasViejas replied to Lookaliveforonce's topic in General Nursing

    Count me in. Med/Surg nursing took so much out of me both physically and mentally that I wouldn't go back to the hospital unless my only other choice was living in a cardboard box behind a strip mall....
  8. VivaLasViejas

    ineligible for rehire

    VivaLasViejas replied to silkygold's topic in General Nursing

    Ouch. I think that's kind of harsh, but there's not a lot you can do but move on from them. So
  9. VivaLasViejas

    ineligible for rehire

    VivaLasViejas replied to silkygold's topic in General Nursing

    If I may ask, how did you land on your facility's do-not-rehire list? I'd have an easier time recommending a course of action if I knew what you were up
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Need validation ASAP!

    VivaLasViejas replied to yadda_yadda_yadda's topic in General Nursing

    I worked in assisted living for many years, and I saw it all. Caregivers without high school diplomas giving meds and insulin, skin issues never identified until they were almost beyond help,...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Constipation Remedy

    VivaLasViejas replied to obeyacts2's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    I called my version the Hot Slider. Six ounces of prune juice mixed with 30 ml of MOM and two pats butter, stir and zap in the microwave for 45 seconds. Stir it again and give it to the patient. Works...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Breakdown at work

    VivaLasViejas replied to Orion81RN's topic in General Nursing

    Good to hear! I'm glad you've found a way to handle your anxiety and depression. I've been through a few breakdowns of my own and I sympathize with you. Sounds like you're back on track and doing the...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Can my mental health disorder disqualify me from becoming a Nurse?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Guest1144459's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    It sounds like you've been stable for awhile. Yes, you can be a nurse with a mental illness, as long as you can stay healthy and clear-headed. You have to be very self-aware, which is something you...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Vent with coronavirus

    VivaLasViejas replied to BsnBull's topic in Disaster Preparation

    I'm sorry, but we cannot offer medical advice of any kind per the Terms of Service. What I can say is that no question is a stupid question, and your friend can ask any question of the healthcare...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Has anyone left nursing job due to COVID19 virus?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Tirednurseandmomma14's topic in Disaster Preparation

    And how do they KNOW who is positive and who is negative before testing is completed!? Talk about taking a chance...I would not work under those circumstances. If you can afford to, get the hell out...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    HELLLLLLLOOOOO, Retirement !

    VivaLasViejas replied to Davey Do's topic in Retired Nurses

    As many members here may know, my "retirement" at age 55 was not necessarily voluntary, but it happened and I'm glad to be out of the rat race. But I didn't really feel retired until I put my nursing...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    School and Other Closures to Control COVID-19 Pandemics

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in Disaster Preparation

    I think we are having a massive overreaction. Yesterday I was in a Walmart Supercenter, and there was not one. single. sheet. of toilet paper on the shelves. Zip, zilch, nada. Why are people panicking...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Chocolate Therapy

    VivaLasViejas replied to Davey Do's topic in Nursing Humor

    Dog farts are the worst! We have a Mini-Pin who does SBDs when he's lying in bed with my son and his husband. Draco seems to enjoy the reaction he gets, which is always "EWWWW". But of course, having...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Word game with post titles

    VivaLasViejas replied to Jedrnurse's topic in Nursing Humor

    Obese nurses due to chocolate
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Calling all nurses, do not get scammed by this phone call.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Julie's topic in General Nursing

    I'm another person who doesn't answer the phone when I don't recognize the number. I don't even hit the "decline" button--I let it go through to voicemail. I figure if it's really important, or if...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    I'm a NURSE!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in General Nursing

    I remember waiting by the mailbox every day of the two weeks since I'd taken the NCLEX. In my day there was no PVT or getting results within a day or so, you waited for your license to come in by...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    I just got hired in a plastic surgery clinic. Are these red flags?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Puppylover0213's topic in General Nursing

    I'm late to the party, and I admit I haven't read the entire thread, but I'm going to throw a few words in anyway: Oh HELL no. This stinks to high heaven. There are so many things that can go...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    What to do about DNP and flu shot?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Travelingon's topic in General Nursing

    Yeah. I've noticed the OP hasn't been around much since throwing the proverbial turd in the punchbowl. There are, however, a few outliers who go along with the same kind of thinking, which is sad...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    OCNRN63

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kyrshamarks's topic in General Nursing

    How odd to run across this thread, now. I've been thinking about her lately too. I remember how she helped me get through the early weeks and months after my husband died because she was a widow too...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    New Area...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in Coffee Lounge's Lounge

    Mmmm, hot cocoa! My husband used to do homemade hot chocolate for the family by heating milk, sugar, powdered cocoa, a little vanilla and half-and-half in a pot on the stove, then topping it with...