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

    New grad nurse - how long did it take you to feel like you knew your job?

    VivaLasViejas replied to The0Walrus's topic in General Nursing

    You're two weeks in? It took me two YEARS to feel confident in my nursing practice. Even so, I had to start all over again at every new job and learn everything from the ground up, so if you're...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    What was your first job as a new graduate?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Lovethenurse2b25's topic in General Nursing

    My very first nursing job was in a small LTC where I did my clinicals and fell in love with the place. It didn't take me long to realize that this was NOT my dream job; in fact, it was a nightmare. We...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    New to assisted living is this normal

    VivaLasViejas replied to Sam59808's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    A lot depends on what your facility's acuity level is. If you've got mostly residents who are fairly independent, the workload is reasonable. But if you have a number of dependent residents who need...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    It's That Time of Year Again: Preparing for Influenza Season

    VivaLasViejas replied to Melissa Mills's topic in Nursing News

    I'm religious about getting a flu shot every year. The last time I didn't get one was 1992, and I spent the entire winter and spring in and out of the ER with bronchitis and pneumonia. It was a...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Huddle being used as a disciplinary tool

    VivaLasViejas replied to Zay's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    That's terrible. What a toxic environment. They should have taken you aside and discussed it with you in private, not laid it all out there for everyone to hear. If I were you I'd start looking...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Nursing Smells You Love?

    VivaLasViejas replied to adventure_rn's topic in General Nursing

    This is weird, but...the smell of brand-new IV tubing. (I like plastic of all kinds, especially new placemats and shower curtains.) I also like the odor of alcohol
  7. VivaLasViejas

    How to be successful with mental illness

    VivaLasViejas replied to IHopeIGetIt's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I have a friend who is going through EMDR and gives it mixed reviews. Maybe she hasn't been going long enough (five weeks). She's bipolar 2 with a LOT of anxiety, which causes her more distress than...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Ethical Dilemma: Is it ever ok to mislead a patient?

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNjuice's topic in General Nursing

    I have fought more battles about medication than I can count. Mostly, they were about discontinuing the many vitamins and supplements some residents were prescribed that really served no purpose other...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    How to be successful with mental illness

    VivaLasViejas replied to IHopeIGetIt's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I wish I had some words of wisdom. I once went through three jobs in less than a year, and ever after that I had trouble getting another job. Actually, I never did, despite many interviews; I ended up...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    The ridiculousness of LTC/SNF

    VivaLasViejas replied to YUKONrn's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    One of my more unusual roles as an LTC nurse was exterminator. I'm not kidding. My facility sat on what was perhaps the largest ant colony in these United States, and the little buggers loved to...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Depression and Nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to LindaGracie's topic in General Nursing

    LindaGracie, you're singing my song. Mental illness cost me my career and I had to retire at age 55, long before I'd planned to. I live on Social Security Disability with bipolar I disorder and...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Punny nursing names

    VivaLasViejas replied to Tammy90's topic in Nursing Humor

    Amy Triptyline? Ella
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Patient had Fall, my fault

    VivaLasViejas replied to NewNurse26's topic in General Nursing

    That sounds like something I would do, I've just never had the opportunity. Thanks for the funny
  14. VivaLasViejas

    I need advice about leaving a job!

    VivaLasViejas replied to HF31's topic in General Nursing

    Always give at least 2 weeks notice. It's not only a professional courtesy, but it will likely keep you off the "do not rehire" list at that company. Don't burn bridges, you never know when you'll...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Dealing with death?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Destin293000's topic in General Nursing

    If you haven't had one already, please see if you can have a debriefing with the staff involved in the code. This can be led by anyone, including the hospital chaplain, and it often helps to express...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Will I lose my nursing license for a traffic violation?

    VivaLasViejas replied to karmax1's topic in General Nursing

    Obviously, bad things are known to happen when drivers blow past school bus STOP signs. Recently in Portland a little girl was killed in such a manner; they didn't show the whole thing on TV of...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    What is your "thing" and how do you deal with it?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Robin Verde's topic in General Nursing

    Me too. And dentures...those are my nursing Kryptonite. Give me blood, vomit, sputum, even a GI bleed any day of the week---but please don't make me deal with feet or oral care.
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Student nurse here. Am i going to be a bad nurse??

    VivaLasViejas replied to mrnurse543210's topic in General Nursing

    You have been given excellent advice here. I can't really add a lot, but I'll say that I'm proud of you for taking constructive criticism with a humble heart. The worst kind of nurse is the one who...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Questionable actions that make you go hmm?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Snatchedwig's topic in General Nursing

    I wish there was an "ewww" emoji. Guess I'll have to be contented with
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Is this a viable solution?

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

    Never share mental health issues with your employer if you can possibly avoid it. It's 2019 and stigma should have long since disappeared, but it hasn't, and you don't want to paint a big target on...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Ever been a clinical instructor?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Calbrunette's topic in General Nursing

    I loved being a substitute clinical instructor! This was back in the day when an associate's degree nurse could work with first-quarter students in the LTC setting. They weren't passing meds yet, they...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Medigrip tips please??

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emm_RN's topic in General Nursing

    I had to do this for myself for several months after I sustained a severe laceration to my right lower leg in a fall at Disney World on Christmas night 2017 (long story). It got infected, and I had...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Which job would you take?

    VivaLasViejas replied to unbalanced's topic in General Nursing

    I'd take Job #2. You'll save enough in gas and frustration to make up for the lower salary, I think. And low acuity would be a dream (at least for me; you may feel differently). I've done the commuter...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    No more lifting

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mon2be's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Thank you. I hadn't reckoned on all that. I stand
  25. VivaLasViejas

    No more lifting

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mon2be's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Have you considered NICU? Or, if you're open to the idea of leaving hospital nursing, how about telephonic triage nursing, utilization review, or case management? There are lots of nursing jobs that...