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

    crushing meds

    VivaLasViejas replied to PsychNurseBoyMom's topic in Correctional

    Any chance that you could get the medical director to change some of these to liquid versions? In any case, meds that shouldn't be crushed, shouldn't be crushed---period---policy or no policy. Sounds...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Old nurse verse New nurse

    VivaLasViejas replied to blessedmomma247's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I'm glad you reported these situations to your DON. Nurse J reminds me of someone I used to work with at the nursing home where I'm starting again next Monday. OUR "Nurse J" is not there anymore...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Antagonizing patients--just a vent

    VivaLasViejas replied to Isitpossible's topic in Psychiatric

    From what I understand, some psych hospitals don't allow caffeinated substances for patients on the unit because it tends to exacerbate some conditions, especially mania. Not everyone is affected...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    First interview since being reinstated!

    VivaLasViejas replied to HunnieBadger's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Soooo.......how did it
  5. VivaLasViejas

    New member awaiting evaluation from IPN

    VivaLasViejas replied to HammeRN's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Hi Amanda, I'm a recovering alcoholic with over 21 years' sobriety, and I'm here to tell you that you can do this!! Getting and staying sober is the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life....but...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Too close to the situation for comfort?

    VivaLasViejas replied to JTinKY's topic in Oncology

    Although I don't believe it's necessary to have experienced an illness to be an effective nurse in a given setting, I do think it can be a plus. The important thing to remember is that you have to...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Nurse on chronic pain medications, are they discriminated against?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Red Lantern's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I have to admit that I wasn't overly fond of the idea of letting an employer know that I take Klonopin nightly for chronic anxiety, but I'm going to pop positive on the UDS anyway so might as well be...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Sober 140 days and dealing with TPAPN

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNMSN51's topic in Nurses Recovery

    (((((Sober))))) Your pain is palpable, and I feel awful for you! I'm so sorry.......in this case, the punishment is far worse than the 'crime' IMHO. Be that as it may, please don't allow this mistake...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Intensive Oupatient Treatment

    VivaLasViejas replied to GA_RN2006's topic in Nurses Recovery

    I don't know what got you into the situation, but it sounds to me like you're doing fine. :) I'm sure it feels like you've moved mountains to get this far, and you have; but in the long run you'll be...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Antagonizing patients--just a vent

    VivaLasViejas replied to Isitpossible's topic in Psychiatric

    I don't know much about what it must be like to work with psych patients, but I do know what it's like to be one, and if I were in the middle of a manic/psychotic episode and a nurse (or anyone else)...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Bipolar Nurse Hoping to Open Awareness of Mental Illness

    VivaLasViejas replied to HannaRNBSN's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Hello, captain_serenity, and welcome to Allnurses!! I appreciate your comments very much. We never know when some adversity that we've gone through will serve to benefit others.....but when that...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Good News!

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Thank you all for your kindness. I am SO happy to be going back to a job I know I can handle. I don't need allowances made, I just need to work among my friends again, and to not be the only nurse in...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Make sure the reference you provide is expecting a call.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    When I managed an apartment complex back in a previous life, a tenant I'd evicted for non-payment of rent (among other offenses) actually had another apartment manager call me for a reference! I...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Anyone in a monitoring program due to their disability?

    VivaLasViejas replied to BeOne77's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    ((((BeOne77)))) Wish I had some words of wisdom here. All I can do is offer my sympathy and say I think it absolutely STINKS that you're being penalized for having a mental illness!! Your state is...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    DMU for those who want to be a Psych Nurse

    VivaLasViejas replied to BeOne77's topic in Psychiatric

    I just saw this thread. All I can say is WOW---no wonder nurses don't go for help when they need it. If all the nurses on meds for depression or anxiety had to go through programs like the one the OP...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Texas BON for bipolar disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to bella_'s topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I wish I could answer you, lmh, but at present I'm not getting any calls for interviews yet either, let alone offers. In fact, I'm in such a dry spell that I'm going to Vocational Rehab tomorrow to...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Geodon IM

    VivaLasViejas replied to TerpGal02's topic in Psychiatric

    I love Geodon. It's not always the right choice, but I swear by it---weight-neutral, doesn't raise blood sugar, makes a person sleepy but not a zombie. Of course, in the setting you guys work in, you...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses are getting younger...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    The last time I had a medical procedure done, my nurse looked to be about 17. Turned out she was only a few years older than that, but she was really good at her job---she got my IV in on the first...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Looking to put grandma in LTC...what to be on look out for?

    VivaLasViejas replied to rahchacha's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    This sounds all New Age-y, but pay attention to the feel of the place when you walk in. You can often get a sense of how a facility treats residents and families the instant you step into the foyer....
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Is this appropriate?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Amistad's topic in Nursing Career

    Count me in with the three previous posters. When I was in charge of hiring and firing, I used to receive cover letters and resumes like this every now and again, and guess where they went? Yep, right...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Owe IRS and wet and wreckless

    VivaLasViejas replied to xochilg's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    "wet wreck"? Is that a
  22. VivaLasViejas

    The "Q" Word and Other Mysteries

    VivaLasViejas replied to Liddle Noodnik's topic in Nursing Humor

    I always use the term "mellow". The 'Q' word is verboten in my
  23. VivaLasViejas

    What I Wish I Could Say to My Residents and Their Families

    VivaLasViejas replied to bluegeegoo2's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I've been in LTC or assisted living for the majority of my career, and I agree 110% with the OP. After a decade of dealing with the kind of people alluded to in her post, I am DONE. The residents are...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Bad move to interview in your scrubs?

    VivaLasViejas replied to newtress's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    I've always heard that it's best to dress for the job you want, not necessarily the one you have (unless you're making a lateral move). Even so, the idea of wearing scrubs anywhere but work is just,...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Reinstated!!

    VivaLasViejas replied to HunnieBadger's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Does that work for nurses with psychiatric conditions