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

    Should I have left pt's restraints on?

    VivaLasViejas replied to kentke's topic in Rehabilitation

    I've never seen one. Sounds like a crib for adults. It must be horrible for someone who's
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Heres what I don't get about hiring

    VivaLasViejas replied to esunada's topic in First Year After Licensure

    "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with BS" is what comes to mind here. I too have seen this happen time and time again, and never quite figured it out either; it's always the...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Should I have left pt's restraints on?

    VivaLasViejas replied to kentke's topic in Rehabilitation

    The patient shouldn't have been in restraints at all if the NG and Foley tubes had been pulled and he otherwise wasn't a danger to himself or others. Confusion and agitation are no longer sufficient...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Skin Changes At Life's End (SCALE)

    VivaLasViejas replied to VickyRN's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    I just went through a similar experience with a resident who went on hospice after he suddenly lost his ability to eat and drink due to esophageal stricture. The hospice RN explained the "skin...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Impostor Syndrome: A Source Of Stress

    VivaLasViejas replied to TheCommuter's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Wow!!! Another great read from a great writer I remember how long it took for me to feel as though I'd "arrived" in the profession.......it was a full decade (and as many jobs) before I finally felt...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Recollections from 25 years of psychiatric nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to marydc's topic in Psychiatric

    Bless you for your caring and concern. :heartbeat Psych patients need and deserve good nurses just as much as everyone else, and maybe even more because of the pain and distress their illnesses have...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    The Unwritten Laws Nurse Managers Live By

    VivaLasViejas replied to rntj's topic in Nurse Management

    you can say that again!!! we catch crap from both sides---the executives over us, and the staff under us. i do remember what it was like to be staff, and have always treated my subordinates with as...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    This may be a silly question..

    VivaLasViejas replied to CRNBSN18's topic in General Students

    In LTC, I've used an otoscope many times to check for the presence of cerumen or assess for signs of infection (you can see the TMs with the 'scope, and if they're red they're probably brewing an ear...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    The "one thing"

    VivaLasViejas replied to DisneyNurseGal's topic in General Students

    Yup.....dentures do it for me every time. Blech!! But feet are infinitely
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses love to give...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in Nursing Humor

    Oy. Get a load of that syringe.....the idea of having 3 cc injected into one site makes me want to pass out. YOWCH, I'll bet that
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Please Help - I have no where else to turn

    VivaLasViejas replied to abbaking's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    ((((((((((abbaking))))))))) I hear you, hon. I just posted something along a similar line, because I too am fed up with the way nurses are treated despite all the warm-and-fuzzy Johnson & Johnson...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Punching out within 6 minutes of shift end, anyone??

    VivaLasViejas replied to martymoose's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    That's one good thing about being salaried........no issues with clocking in/out. OTOH, there's no OT, no 'official' breaks, and no extra pay for those 14-hour days when you've got JCAHO or state...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    How do you get a very combative patient to take a shower

    VivaLasViejas replied to esunada's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Unfortunately, you can't "snow" the guy just to get him clean......that is, in effect a chemical restraint, and thus legally (and ethically) squishy. As demented as he probably is, he still has the...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Possible Drug Possession and Paraphernalia

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

    Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if the average judge had a nickel for every accused person who uses "The drugs/booze/paraphernalia/stolen goods/fill in the blank weren't mine" as a defense,...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    "Please call me, there are *issues* with you..."

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseCard's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Ah, the dreaded "issues" discussion. Or, as some of my past managers have said, "We have a few concerns.......":uhoh21: Words to strike terror in the heart of any nurse! You have my sympathies,...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Nun wanting to give NPO patient wafer

    VivaLasViejas replied to Are-En-Fla's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    Thank you, elkpark. Your post is very informative! I didn't know how the different liturgical churches view the sacrament; all I know is the Catholic tradition, and I'm always surprised when I see...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Why do some RNs hate this?

    VivaLasViejas replied to nursingstudent2458's topic in General Students

    What Esme said.
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Helpful 'mnemonics'.?

    VivaLasViejas replied to aachavez's topic in General Students

    hahaha!!! i have a coffee mug with those same letters on it.....and for the same reason too! trouble is, i can't remember where i put the flippin' thing the last time i used
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Cleanliness is a must!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in Nursing Humor

    I used to come home from my 3-11 shift at the hospital, leave my shoes in the garage, tiptoe downstairs to the laundry room and shuck off all my clothes, drop 'em in the washer, walk over to the...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Nun wanting to give NPO patient wafer

    VivaLasViejas replied to Are-En-Fla's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    I'd hate to see anyone denied the Eucharist because of being NPO. One of my friends who is an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist visits the hospital every few days to take Communion to patients....
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Hail Mary....funny story.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Crux1024's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    I AM Catholic, and I think that's hilarious!! Cute story.
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Personal question looking at LTC for parent

    VivaLasViejas replied to KJRN79's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Now that I'm off the iPhone and onto my desktop: What to look for? When you tour a community, take a sniff. Do you smell a nice neutral scent, or do you catch a hint of urine or feces? Is the...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Advice please? Dementia pt resisting necessary intervention

    VivaLasViejas replied to Laughingbuddha's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    I'm a DON in a an assisted living facility that specializes in "challenging" residents. This lady sounds like one of my residents, for whom I advocated a suprapubic catheter as she will always need...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Personal question looking at LTC for parent

    VivaLasViejas replied to KJRN79's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Your folks sound more appropriate for assisted living than a nursing home, unless there are wandering and/or severe behavioral issues going on. It's amazing what ALFs will handle nowadays, from...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Am I crazy?? Job decision advice... time sensitive

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

    I would advise against it, to be honest. I can understand not wanting to stay in psych forever, but you'll kick yourself around the block if you don't accept the "dream job". And compounding the...