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

    Ramifications of taking benzo to deal with stress of job?

    VivaLasViejas replied to utah23LPN's topic in General Nursing

    The OP came to us for help. TraumaRUs was correct when she posted the advice to check with one's state BON to find out exactly where the line is drawn as to the use of narcotics and other sedating...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    From a nursing student to nurses...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Staragate's topic in General Nursing

    Your attitude is refreshing. :yelclap: It can also be contagious......so I hope your classmates, as well as other students here, will catch it too! Beautiful post. Thank you.
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Does the thought of going to your job make you sick?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Lucky724's topic in Health, Stress Management

    I've had good jobs, bad jobs, fairly decent jobs, and horrible jobs........and what I've learned is, life is too short to be miserable at work. So I have one rule: when the bad days consistently...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    What is your favorite nursing memory?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in General Nursing

    One of the main reasons I became a nurse in the first place was the OB nurse who worked the 3-11 shift at the hospital where I gave birth to my third child over 26 years ago. This woman was my angel...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    1st Nursing Cartoon caption contest - win $100

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    "You know, Mitzi said this shift was making her drag like an old tired
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Attention Nurse Managers - Can You Critique My Resume?

    VivaLasViejas replied to WeirdNurseKelly's topic in General Nursing

    If you'd like to send it to me via PM, I'll take a look at it for you during the afternoon or early evening tomorrow.
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Embarrasing illnesses

    VivaLasViejas replied to GitanoRN's topic in General Nursing

    Man who shot one testicle off after shoving his gun into his waistband and sitting down in his car, apparently believing that since 9 mm pistols never discharge accidentally on TV, it wouldn't happen...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Harassment at work, patient to staff

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

    There are a couple of questions I need to ask before I can help you sort all this out. Is this resident alert and oriented? That could make a huge difference in how this issue is handled. What are his...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Advice for n00bs

    VivaLasViejas replied to ixchel's topic in General Students

    And I would have been much more aggressive about pursuing grants and scholarships, not loans---fifteen years after graduation, I'm STILL in debt. Yes, it's a lot of work writing essays and all that,...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Is this a good activity for adults in the psych ward?

    VivaLasViejas replied to chariot's topic in General Nursing

    One of the single coolest things I've ever seen in nursing happened during my psych rotation. The unit had a batch of different types of drums, plus maracas and tambourines, and they had drumming...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    CPR - AED- lost my first patient today.

    VivaLasViejas replied to NocturneNrse's topic in General Nursing

    The first code is the worst. It's when we learn that performing CPR on a real human being is a lot harder than pushing on the chest of a Resusci-Annie, and in the long term, not much more successful....
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Concerned about privacy

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

    I've been a nurse for a long time, and the best I can tell you is, after you've taken care of a few male patients, it gets less and less awkward. Please reassure your husband that nurses don't see...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Healthcare professionals using insulting language

    VivaLasViejas replied to cayenne06's topic in General Nursing

    As the mother of a gay son, I can't begin to say how abhorrent I find the use of the term "gay" to mean "silly" or "stupid" or "ridiculous". Most people know better than to say that around me, but...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Why do you like being a nurse?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kendel.G's topic in General Nursing

    That is one of the most awesome nursing stories I've ever read. You should submit this for
  15. VivaLasViejas

    getting a job with two misdemeanors ]:

    VivaLasViejas replied to kristen312's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    OK, let's slow down for a minute. You say these shoplifting charges happened when you were 18; you were legally an adult, so unless it's been more than 7-10 years since then, you still have a record,...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    What is that weird smell?

    VivaLasViejas replied to tiroka03's topic in General Nursing

    Eeewww. Bring on da
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Why do you like being a nurse?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kendel.G's topic in General Nursing

    Always try to live life in view of its possibilities, not its limitations. :) If it's to be, it's up to me. Whether you think you can, or you think you can't......you're right! Most people are about...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Depression in final year.

    VivaLasViejas replied to rant's topic in General Students

    Oh, honey......you need SO much more than we can offer you here on an anonymous nursing forum. :hug: Your pain and confusion are palpable. I haven't been in your exact place, but I have been in one...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    4 med errors in one shift... Feeling terrible

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseLoveJoy88's topic in Patient Medications

    NurseLoveJoy: I'm going to be as gently honest with you here as I can be without sugarcoating the message. I can't overemphasize the need for you to pay attention to what's going on inside you, as so...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    New Nurses Precepting Students/New Hires?

    VivaLasViejas replied to All4NursingRN's topic in General Nursing

    I'm kind of amazed at the idea that nurses with less than 2 years experience working as preceptors is somehow a new thing. Thought it's been done that way for years.........I think I'd been at my...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    First RN job at LTC.. Please I need help badly!

    VivaLasViejas replied to racs09_RN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Not at all, it just means you probably aren't meant to be a nurse at THAT facility. Any LTC that fails to offer proper orientation doesn't care about its nurses, and by extension, its residents. The...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    First RN job at LTC.. Please I need help badly!

    VivaLasViejas replied to racs09_RN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    By all means, ask for more orientation! Two days doesn't even let you get the feel for one unit, let alone three. And if you're brand new to nursing period, I don't think a full week on each unit is...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Need employment, poor work history

    VivaLasViejas replied to rue1725's topic in Nursing Career

    Go to the Site Map at the top of the page on the left side and click on that; it'll take you to a page where you can find all of the forums we have here. Scroll down the list till you get to the...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Doing GREAT...In recovery, but written up today at work.

    VivaLasViejas replied to code3rnval's topic in Nurses Recovery

    I'm still having trouble visualizing what you do as a "health advocate". Are you a nurse? And if not, how do you get patient care privileges in this position? I don't think you have anything to lose...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    old boss just called

    VivaLasViejas replied to jwkwildland's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    I'd be all over it, if I were you. Working with EMTs will get you some hands-on experience you won't get anywhere else, and if you love it.....why would you regret