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

    suspended :(

    VivaLasViejas replied to stethoscope21's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    While I would never presume to suggest that the OP's difficulties are related to some kind of psychiatric disorder---we're not doctors, and that's beyond our scope of practice---she does sound...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    New energy drink for students!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in General Students

    Energy drinks are NOT my friend. The last time I drank one, I was still wide awake at two A.M., hand-washing several of my blouses....my husband woke up because I wasn't in bed, came to investigate,...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses please try to look a little more polished at work

    VivaLasViejas replied to OnlybyHisgraceRN's topic in General Nursing

    OK, I've gotta have a pair of those.......the area below the breasts is one of THE worst places to sweat, but with triple-D's there's no way around it in the summertime. Can't wait to try 'em. Thanks...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Over the Animosity

    VivaLasViejas replied to nursefina's topic in Emergency

    Reminds me of my old float nurse days.........I sometimes worked several different departments in the same shift! Didn't see much time in the ER, which was fine with me, but occasionally I'd get...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    anyone noticing a massive increase in angiedema in patients on lisinopril?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Sirapples's topic in Patient Medications

    My sister has issues with angioedema. She is on lisinopril. This bears further investigation, as we've never been able to figure out what causes her episodes. Thanks for the heads-up,
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Once again.....I'm a "nurse".....

    VivaLasViejas replied to cherrybreeze's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    Great to see you around here again, cherrybreeze!! Welcome home!!
  7. VivaLasViejas

    I'd rather do respiratory but I don't want to be unemployed...

    VivaLasViejas replied to ManyQuestions's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    My brother-in-law was an RT, as is a good friend of mine. Some of what they do includes intubations, ECGs, spirometry, and LOTS of patient education. It's not just nebulizer treatments......heck, I...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Happy Nurses week! You Have MRSA!

    VivaLasViejas replied to allysun1's topic in General Nursing

    I've had three episodes of MRSA cellulitis. It's not fun, but you get treated when symptoms first appear, and life goes on. I did get C.diff after the last go-round (six weeks of ABX will do that...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    I'd rather do respiratory but I don't want to be unemployed...

    VivaLasViejas replied to ManyQuestions's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    I most emphatically do NOT recommend going into nursing if most of it doesn't appeal to you. There are too many people who want to be nurses and too few seats in nursing programs....to say nothing of...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    So upset right now I could spit nails...

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseCard's topic in General Nursing

    That's the classiest way to say "POS" that I've ever
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Tips for Dealing with Difficult Patients...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in Nursing Humor

    Oh, yes....it most certainly will help you as an RN. You're already way ahead of most of the planet on that score---you have great instincts that will serve you AND your patients well.
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Tips for Dealing with Difficult Patients...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in Nursing Humor

    A strategy that's almost always worked for me is to invest some quality time in the most "challenging" patients at the very beginning of the shift, especially if they're new to me. A lot of times,...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    The War On Fat

    VivaLasViejas replied to Crazed's topic in General Nursing

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've struggled with my weight since my early 20s when I started having babies, and it's a battle I know I'm losing, even though I refuse to give up entirely. It's...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Pre-Pour medication: to do or not to do

    VivaLasViejas replied to Do_Good's topic in Patient Medications

    They're passing meds prepared by someone ELSE??!!! That's even scarier than prepouring. How does anybody know exactly what's in the med cup they're passing if they weren't there when the pills were...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Pre-Pour medication: to do or not to do

    VivaLasViejas replied to Do_Good's topic in Patient Medications

    When should you pre-pour meds? 1) Never 2) Never and 3) NEVER! Your co-workers are wrong. State surveyors would barbecue the facility for that, and with good reason---because it's flat out unsafe. Way...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Happy Nurses Week Cards...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in Nursing Humor

    Yeah......me
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Question About Stretched Ears

    VivaLasViejas replied to KatieMarie1127's topic in General Students

    Thank you. Expressing an opinion doesn't equal "body snarking". It's just an opinion, and like some other body parts, everyone's got
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Question About Stretched Ears

    VivaLasViejas replied to KatieMarie1127's topic in General Students

    Not to mention, stretched earlobes look absolutely hideous IMHO. Then again, I am old, and set in my ways.....I'd rather see someone covered in tattoos than ears that look like the handle on a coffee...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Miss Tander Teaches

    VivaLasViejas replied to dianah's topic in General Nursing

    I've got a lump in my throat too.....'ulp'. What a sweet story, dianah---well
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Sad...

    VivaLasViejas replied to LindseyRN86's topic in General Nursing

    I'm sorry you didn't get the job. However, I think you've developed more self-confidence in your resume and interviewing skills as a result of this experience, and that should carry you through your...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    question about getting an LPN job with an aggravated DUI on the record...

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

    What exactly is an 'aggravated' DUI? Is it more serious than a regular DUI, and if so, how? I'm curious, as I've never heard of this before and have no idea if it's a misdemeanor or felony. I wish you...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    NTI 2012 Orlando, who's going? Visit AN Booth May 22nd-24th

    VivaLasViejas replied to Reno1978's topic in Critical Care

    I can't wait till 2015, when it's in San Diego and thus on my side of the Rockies! I'll find some way to get
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Iv site labeling, instant removal for no date

    VivaLasViejas replied to jrbl77's topic in General Nursing

    N2N, you NAILED it!!! :up: Makes me glad I don't work in a hospital anymore and that all I have to put up with are state surveyors who will hang a facility out to dry if the RN fails to write a wound...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    How to write a verbal warning on poor work relationships

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

    May I make a small correction? CNAs do not "work under our license". They have their own scope of practice and are accountable to the state BON for maintaining the professional standards for their...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    how do you feel about group projects?

    VivaLasViejas replied to SC APRN's topic in General Students

    Hated group projects in college, for all the normal reasons and then some. (Have you ever had to sing "Jambalaya" in front of 40 people when you can't carry a tune in a bucket?!) But it was fantastic...